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cuaki.ks  PE SILVER 

X  711  i  |„  Mi"i~s7i"i  Vliil.itl.-!|iln.< 


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WISCONSIN 

AND 

ITS    RESOURCES; 

WITH 

LAKE   SUPERIOR, 

ITS  COMMERCE  AND  NAVIGATION. 

INCLUDING 

A   TRIP    UP   THE    MISSISSIPPI,    AND   A   CANOE    VOYAGE 

ON   THE  ST.  CROIX  AND  BRULE  RIVERS 

TO  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

TO    WHICH    ARE    APPENDED, 

THE    CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    STATE,  WITH    THE 

ROUTES  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  RAILROADS, 

LIST    OF    POST-OFFICES,  Etc. 

WITH    IlLUSTRATONS    AND    AUTHENTIC    MAPS    OF  WISCONSIN    AND   THE 
REGION  OF  LAKE  SUPERIOR, 

BY 

JAMES    S.    RITCHIE. 


PHILADELPHIA : 
CHARLES    DESILVEE, 

No.  714  Chestnut  Street. 

KEEN    &    LEE, 

148  LAKE   STREET,   CHICAGO. 

1857. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1857,  by 
CHARLES    DESILVER, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Eastern 
District  of  Pennsylvania. 

SIEBEOnrPED  BY  J.  FAQ  AN,  PHILADELPHIA. 


TO    THOSE 

UPON  WHOSE  FUTORE  EFFORTS 

MUST  DEPEND  THE  WELFARE  OF  THEIR  STATE, 

AND 

HER  POSITION  AND  INFLUENCE  IN  THIS  GREAT  CONFEDERACY, 

THE  YOUNG  MEN  OF  WISCONSIN, 

THIS    EFFORT    TO    DEVELOP    HER    RESOURCES, 

AND 

INCREASE  HER  POWER, 

$s  3LUsj)cctfull»  Enscrfbetj  bg  tljefr  jFvfentr, 
THE  AUTHOR. 


(iii) 


_i.  X  &  *_ 


PREFACE. 


The  preparation  of  the  following  pages  was  under- 
taken, in  consequence  of  a  strong  impression  left  upon 
the  mind  of  the  author,  after  several  tours  through 
Wisconsin,  that  the  advantages  aiForded  by  that  ra- 
pidly increasing  State  were  very  insufficiently  known. 
With  a  desire  to  afford  correct  information,  much  pains 
have  been  taken  to  obtain,  from  undoubted  authority, 
those  statistics  which  disclose  the  true  character  of  her 
soil,  climate,  and  resources.  He  has  endeavored  to 
bring  within  a  moderate  space,  such  a  knowledge  of 
the  advantages  presented  by  Wisconsin,  as  should  in- 
duce the  worthy  and  enterprising  settler  to  find  a 
happy  home  within  her  borders. 

For  many  of  the  statements  made,  the  author  is  en- 
abled to  refer  to  the  testimony  of  intelligent  farmers 
residing  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  and  in  other 
sections  of  the  country.  He  is  also  greatly  indebted 
to  the  press  throughout  the  State,  for  the  kind  man- 
ner in  which  his  inquiries  have  been  replied  to.  He 
desires  to  acknowledge  the  favors  received  from  Ly- 
1*  (v) 


VI  PREFACE. 

man  C.  Draper,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Historical 
Society,  and  returns  his  thanks  to  Andrew  J.  Aiken, 
Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trade  of  Milwaukee, 
for  the  assistance  so  kindly  proffered.  The  value  of 
the  work  is  much  enhanced  by  the  correct  manner  in 
which  the  maps,  accompanying  it,  have  been  engraved 
by  Mr.  J.  L.  Hazzard,  of  Philadelphia,  to  whose  intelli- 
gence and  skill  the  author  feels  greatly  indebted. 
That  the  work  is  free  from  errors  can  hardly  be  ex- 
pected. The  author  can  only  say  that  he  has  earnestly 
endeavored  to  make  it  so. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGB 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Early  History  of  Wisconsin  13 

CHAPTER  II. 
Face  of  the  Country — Area — Character  of  the  Settlers — Foreign 
Immigration — Climate 24 

CHAPTER  III. 

Agricultural  Advantages — Soil,  etc 33 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Geology  of  Wisconsin  —  Rocks  —  Lead — Copper — Zinc — Iron — 
Building  Stone — Earthwork  Antiquities 48 

CHAPTER  V. 
Lumber  Regions — Rivers — Lakes , G6 

CHAPTER  VI. 
The  Principal  Towns — Milwaukee — Madison — Racine,  &c 82 

CHAPTER  VII. 
General  Description  of  Counties — Census  Report 124 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Grant  of  Lands  by  Congress — La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee — Chi- 
cago— St.  Paul  and  Fond  du  Lac,  and  other  Railroads 133 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Public  Lands — Pre-emption  Law — Advice  to  Settlers — Extracts 

from  the  Press — General  Remarks 162 

(vii) 


yiii  CONTENTS. 

PAKT   II. 

LAKE  SUPERIOR, 

CHAPTER  I. 

PAGH 

Lake  Superior — Pictured  Rocks — Climate — Islands,  &c 177 

CHAPTER  II. 

Mineral  Resources  —  Copper  —  Silver  —  Iron — Fisheries — Com- 
merce— Sault  Ste.  Marie  Canal — General  Remarks 186 

CHAPTER  III. 

City  of  Superior — Its  Situation  —  Harbor — Advantages — Rail- 
roads— Rise  and  History — Progress — Agricultural  Resources 
of  the  Nemadji  and  St.  Louis  Rivers  224 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Principal  Towns — Ontonagon — Marquette — Eagle  River — Eagle 
Harbor — Copper  Harbor — Bayfield — Bay  City  and  Ashland — 
La  Pointe,  &c 256 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Early  Settler  of  Lake  Superior 262 

CHAPTER  VI. 
A  Tour — Milwaukee  to  St.  Paul — Steamboat  Life — Scenery  on 
the  Upper  Mississippi — L:>ke  Pepin — Towns — St.  Paul — Its 
Improvement,  &c. — Canoe  Voyage  on  the  St.  Croix  and  Brule* 
Rivers  to  the  City  of  Superior 267 

PART   III. 

APPENDIX. 

Constitution  of  Wisconsin 277 

State  Government  303 

List  of  Post  Offices 304 

List  of  Newspapers 311 


INTRODUCTION. 


When  the  Israelites  of  old  approached  their  promised  Canaan, 
"with  a  laudable  curiosity  to  know  what  kind  of  a  territory  had  been 
given  to  them  for  an  inheritance,  but  for  which  they  were  yet  to 
fight — they  sent  forth  trusty  men  to  spy  out  the  land,  and  an- 
xiously awaited  their  report.  Had  there  been  found  on  that  side  of 
Jordan  a  book,  which  fully  and  truly  described  the  plain  and  the 
▼alley,  the  mountain  and  the  high  places  of  their  future  home,  how 
eagerly  would  they  have  perused  its  descriptions  of  grandeur,  and 
its  scenes  of  peaceful  repose  ? 

Every  American  settler  has  his  Jordan  to  pass,  and  his  land  of 
promise  in  the  distance  ;  but  with  many  advantages  over  those  same 
old  Israelites  —  he  does  not  go  with  an  army  with  banners  —  he  has 
no  Jebusite  to  drive  away;  scarce  a  solitary  red-skin  is  left  to  add 
the  picturesque  to  the  landscape  —  all  have  disappeared  before  the 
marvellous  approach  of  the  pale  faces.  He  goes  to  enter  upon  a 
peaceful  heritage;  and  he  may  carry  in  his  hand,  as  he  sits  in  the 
rail  car,  or  upon  the  lofty  deck  of  the  gallant  steamer,  a  full  and 
perfect  description  of  the  very  spot  towards  which  he  is  making  his 
rapid  journey.  Is  he  a  sturdy  son  of  the  soil,  seeking  for  some  fer- 
tile region  where,  by  the  strength  of  his  lusty  arms,  he  intends  to 
compel  the  virgin  earth,  thus  roughly  wooed,  to  bring  forth  her  first 
fruits?  He  can  at  once  learn,  by  what  soft  murmuring  stream, 
whose  batiks  are  clad  with  verdure,  he  may,  with  the  fairest  pros- 
pect of  success,  erect  his  simple  cottage,  soon  with  industry  and 
care,  to  become  the  extensive  farm  house,  and  the  home  of  a  pros- 
pering and  happy  family.  Where  are  those  glorious  prairies,  whose 
deep,  dark  mould,  turned  by  the  glittering  ploughshare,  in  a  single 
year  returns  a  harvest  which  repays  both  for  outlay  and  for  labor? 
The  description  is  before  him,  he  has  but  to  read  and  to  rejoice. 

Is  the  traveller  one  whose  object  is  to  delve  into  the  bosom  of  the 
earth  in  search  of  her  more  deeply  hidden  treasures?  Inquirers 
have  preceded  him  also,  and  he  may  learn  where  have  already  been 
discovered  mines  of  mineral  wealth,  accessible,  and  wanting  only 
the  spirit  of  enterprise  for  their  full  and  rich  development.  Does 
the  merchant  seek  for  a  location  where  a  prosperous  business  may 
be  rapidly  concentrated.  He,  too,  may  read  of  the  situations  in- 
viting trade  and  commerce,  where  the  great  inland  sea  bathes  with 
its  swelling  floods,  site  after  site,  upon  which  ere  long  must  stand  the 
noble  city,  or  where  the  Father  of  Waters  sweeps  by,  bearing  to  the 
distant  sea  port  the  gallant  steamer,  which  conveys  the  products  of 
the  land  to  exchange  for  those  of  other  climes. 

Nor  will  the  adventurer,  who  desires  to  lauuch  his  bark  on  a  rising 

(ix) 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

tide,  and,  by  judicious  investment  in  a  growing  country,  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  all  that  energy  and  enterprise  -which  point  the  road  to 
fortune,  seek  in  vain.  He  also  can  discover,  where  are  to  be  found 
the  new  and  growing  village — the  more  ambitious  city,  where  already 
town  lots  have  assumed  a  value  foot  per  foot — or  the  region  whose 
rapidly  increasing  population  is  bringing  the  more  distant  farm  land 
into  immediate  agricultural  demand. 

All  this  has  been  done  for-neighboring  States,  why  shall  it  not  be 
done  for  Wisconsin  ?  Why  shall  her  glorious  situation  be  permitted 
to  remain  unknown,  until  sought  for  with  painful  scrutiny  upon  per- 
haps an  inaccurate,  certainly  upon  an  antiquated  map? 

Why  should  her  climate,  second  to  none,  in  healthfulness,  and 
already  proved  to  be,  along  her  northern  shores,  as  pure  as  that  of 
Upper  Egypt,  not  be  mentioned  to  the  invalid,  to  whose  suffering 
frame  it  would  impart  renewed  health?  Or  her  soil,  whose  depth 
and  richness  are  such  as  to  encourage  industry  and  enterprise,  not  be 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  agriculturist? 

May  not  the  strong  impressions,  left  upon  the  mind,  in  repeated 
journeys  over  the  wide-spread  commonwealth,  be  told  for  the  bene- 
fit of  others? 

The  position  of  Wisconsin,  is  certainly  second  to  that  of  no  State 
in  the  American  Union — of  ample  size,  and  embracing  every  variety 
of  surface ;  her  boundaries  seem  prescribed  by  nature,  and  are  suited 
to  insure  the  most  perfect  development  of  her  natural  advantages. 
On  the  east,  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  bound  her  shores  for  a 
distance  of  nearly  two  hundred  miles,  affording  many  noble  harbors, 
from  which  a  commerce,  sustained  from  her  vast  internal  resources, 
must  at  no  distant  day  be  carried  on.  Lake  Superior  washes  her 
northern  shores  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles ;  and  there,  enter- 
prise has  begun  to  lay  out  cities,  and  has  already  discovered  rich 
mines  of  mineral  products,  which,  in  quantity  and  quality,  are  un- 
equalled in  the  world.  This  Inland  Sea  affords  a  commercial  high 
road  to  the  Atlantic,  which  may  yield  competition,  to  the  now  rapidly 
growing  facilities  of  railroad  transportation. 

The  Father  of  Waters  rolls  upon  her  western  limits,  giving  a  steam- 
boat navigation  for  a  distance  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  miles  within 
her  borders.  Has  any  other  State,  or  any  other  country,  a  more  ad- 
tageous  position  ?  To  this  belongs  an  interior  of  diversified  cha- 
racter, irrigated  by  numerous  streams,  which  discharge  their  waters 
on  either  side  into  the  Mississippi  or  Lake  Michigan,  and  studded 
with  lakes  which  add  beauty,  while  they  diffuse  fertility  around. 

A  noble,  free  Constitution,  equal  laws,  and  the  general  diffusion 
of  intelligence,  afford  to  this  favored  State  the  brightest  prospect 
of  an  early  and  successful  development.  If,  to  this  end,  our  efforts 
shall,  in  any  small  degree,  prove  auxiliary,  we  shall  feel  fully  paid  for 
our  voluntary,  but  well-intended  effort. 

James  S.  Ritchie. 
August  1,  1857. 


PART   I. 
WISCONSIN  AND  ITS  RESOURCES. 


WISCONSIN  AND  ITS  KESOURCES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   EARLY   HISTORY  OP   WISCONSIN, 

That  part  of  onr  country  bordering  on  the  Great  Lakes 
was  partially  explored  by  the  French  missionaries  and 
voyagenrs  from  Canada  several  years  before  the  English 
cavaliers  landed  on  Virginia  soil,  and  many  years  before 
the  landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  on  the  rock  at  Ply- 
mouth. It  was  not  the  thirst  of  sordid  gain  that  influenced 
the  first  white  man  who  looked  down  into  the  clear  waters 
of  Lake  Superior,  or  who  gazed  with  awe  upon  the  mighty 
Mississippi,  rolling  down  its  turbid  flood  from  the  unknown 
wilds  above.  The  spirit  of  religious  enthusiasm  explored 
the  basin  of  the  great  lakes  and  the  valley  of  the 
Mississippi. 

To  the  Society  of  Jesus  was  given  the  task  of  civilizing 
and  christianizing  the  red  men  of  the  Northwest.  Its 
missionaries,  inspired  with  a  heroism  that  defied  every 
danger,  and  endured  every  toil,  sacrificed  country,  wealth, 
and  station  to  bear  the  cross  to  these  unknown  tribes.  In 
all  history,  ancient  or  modern,  there  is  no  Society  that  can 
be  compared  with  this  in  the  devotedness  of  its  members. 
From  Quebec  they  ascended  the  Ottawa,  and,  crossing  the 
chain  of  small  lakes,  they  preached  the  word  of  God  in  the 
2  (13) 


14  THE    EARLY    HISTORY 

hovels  of  the  Algon quins  on  the  bays  of  Huron.  They 
sailed  among  the  islands  of  the  Manitouline  Archipelago, 
and  at  Sault  Ste.  Mary,  at  the  outlet  of  Superior,  they 
proclaimed  the  gospel  to  the  Chippewas ;  entering  that 
vast  inland  sea,  they  penetrated  to  its  farthest  extremity, 
where  the  St.  Louis,  white  with  the  foam  of  its  cataracts, 
enters  the  lake  amid  groves  of  pine. 

As  early  as  1624,  Gabriel  Sagard,  a  missionary,  made 
his  way  to  the  Huron  tribes  on  the  borders  of  the  lake  of 
the  same  name.  In  1634,  the  Jesuits  Brebeuf  and  Daniel, 
and  several  others  of  their  Order,  visited  the  Huron  tribes. 
On  the  ltth  day  of  September,  1641,  the  Fathers  Jogues 
and  Raymbault  embarked  in  their  frail  birch-bark  canoes 
for  the  Sault  Ste.  Mary.  They  floated  over  the  clear 
waters,  between  the  picturesque  islands  of  Lake  Huron, 
and,  after  a  voyage  of  seventeen  days,  arrived  at  the  Falls 
of  St.  Mary.  Here  they  found  a  large  assembly  of  Chip- 
pewas. After  numerous  inquiries,  they  heard  of  the  Na- 
dowessies,  the  famed  Sioux,  who  dwelt  eighteen  days' 
journey  further  to  the  west,  beyond  the  Great  Lake. 
Thus  did  the  religious  zeal  of  the  French  bear  the  cross  to 
the  banks  of  the  St.  Mary  and  the  confines  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior, and  look  wistfully  towards  the  homes  of  the  Sioux  in 
the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  five  years  before  the  New 
England  Eliot  had  addressed  the  tribe  of  Indians  that 
dwelt  within  six  miles  of  Boston  harbor.1 

Two  traders  passed  the  winter  of  1659  among  the 
Indians  of  Lake  Superior ;  and  in  the  following  summer 
they  arrived  at  Quebec  with  sixty  canoes  laden  with  furs, 
and  rowed  by  three  hundred  Algonquins.  The  narratives 
of  these  men  excited  a  spirit  of  emulation  in  the  breast  of 
the  Jesuits  to  bear  the  cross  to  the  cabins  of  those  distant 
tribes.  Father  Mesnard,  an  aged  missionary,  was  selected 
1  Bancroft. 


OF    WISCONSIN.  15 

to  establish  a  station  as  a  place  of  assembly  for  the  sur- 
rounding nations.  He  immediately  set  out,  and  on  the 
15th  day  of  October,  1661,  he  reached  the  bay  which  he 
called  St.  Theresa,  and  which  may  have  been  Keweenaw 
Bay,  on  the  northern  part  of  the  State  of  Michigan.  Here 
he  resided  more  than  eight  months,  surrounded  by  savages 
and  a  few  French  voyageurs.  Being  solicited  by  the 
Hurons,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  the  Isle  of  St.  Michael, 
to  visit  them,  he  departed  with  one  attendant  for  the 
Apostles'  Isles.  On  his  way  he  strayed  from  his  attendant, 
and  was  never  seen  again.  Many  years  afterwards  his 
cassock  and  breviary  were  discovered  in  a  Sioux  lodge, 
and  kept  as  amulets  by  the  possessors. 

Undismayed  by  his  sad  fate,  a  successor  arrived — Father 
Claude  Allouez — who  embarked,  in  1665,  on  a  missionary 
tour  to  the  far  west,  and  on  the  1st  of  October  arrived  at 
La  Pointe,  the  great  village  of  the  Chippewas,  in  the  Bay 
of  Che-goi-mei-gon,  Wisconsin.  Here  he  met  deputations 
from  ten  or  twelve  of  the  neighboring  tribes,  assembled 
in  council  to  concert  measures  against  their  enemies,  the 
Sioux.  On  being  admitted  to  an  audience,  Allouez,  in  the 
name  of  Louis  XIV.,  and  as  his  viceroy,  commanded 
peace,  and  offered  commerce  and  alliance  with  France. 
His  exhortations  were  received  joyfully  by  the  admiring 
savages,  and  soon  a  chapel  rose  on  the  shores  of  this  bay, 
which  attracted  crowds  of  Indians,  and  the  mission  station 
of  the  "Holy  Spirit"  was  founded. 

After  residing  about  two  years  on  the  southern  coast  of 
Lake  Superior,  and  connecting  his  name  imperishably  with 
the  progress  of  discovery  in  the  West,  Allouez  returned  to 
Quebec,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  distinguished  James 
Marquette  in  the  charge  of  the  mission  of  the  "  Holy 
Spirit."  For  several  succeeding  years  these  pious  mis- 
sionaries were  employed  in  converting  the  savage  tribes, 


16  THE    EARLY    HISTORY 

and  confirming  the  influence  of  France  from  Green  Bay  to 
the  head  of  Lake  Superior. 

The  country  was  made  known  by  these  enterprises,  and, 
in  1671,  Talon,  the  king's  lieutenant  of  Canada,  took  mea- 
sures to  extend  the  power  of  France  to  the  utmost  limits 
of  the  northwest.  He  selected  Nicholas  Perrot,  a  man 
well  suited  to  his  purpose,  supplied  him  with  a  sufficient 
force,  and  sent  him  to  the  far  west  to  propose  a  congress 
of  the  various  nations  the  following  spring  at  the  Sault 
Ste.  Mary.  He  visited  all  the  northern  tribes  with  whom 
the  French  at  that  time  had  any  trade,  and  also  the  Miamis 
at  the  foot  of  Lake  Michigan,  where  Chicago  now  stands. 

At  this  congress  nearly  all  the  nations  of  the  north  were 
present,  by  their  delegates,  and  were  met  by  the  Sieur  St. 
Lusson  on  the  part  of  France,  who  was  charged  to  take 
possession  of  all  the  country  and  receive  them  under  the 
protection  of  its  king.  After  an  address  by  Perrot,  and 
a  declaration  by  St.  Lusson  of  the  act  of  taking  posses- 
sion, and  of  the  protection  of  the  king,  a  cross  of  cedar 
was  raised,  and  the  "  whole  company  of  the  French  bowed 
down  before  the  emblem  of  man's  redemption,  and  chaunted 
to  its  glory  a  solemn  hymn."  Alongside  of  the  cross  a 
cedar  column  was  erected,  marked  with  the  lilies  of  -the 
Bourbons.  Thus,  says  Bancroft,  "  were  the  authority  and 
the  faith  of  France  uplifted  in  the  presence  of  the  ancient 
races  of  America,  in  the  heart  of  our  continent.  Yet  this 
daring  ambition  of  the  servants  of  a  military  monarch  was 
doomed  to  leave  no  abiding  monument  —  this  echo  of  the 
middle  age  to  die  away." 

M.  Talon  having  been  very  active  in  extending  the  do- 
minion of  France  over  the  nations  in  the  north  and  west, 
was  anxious  to  discover  the  sources,  direction,  character, 
and  outlet  of  a  great  river,  which  had  often  been  mentioned 
to  the  French  by  the  Indians,  and  which  was  supposed  to 


OF    WISCONSIN.  IT 

reach  the  sea  on  the  west,  or  fall  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
on  the  south.  The  river  was  called  by  the  Indians  Massa- 
sepo,  or  Missi-sipi,  great  river.  For  this  purpose  he  sent 
Father  Marquette,  a  Jesuit,  and  Joliet,  a  citizen  of  Que- 
bec, and  several  voyageurs,  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  these 
representations.  In  1673,  Talon,  at  his  own  request,  was 
recalled,  and  was  succeeded  by  Count  de  Frontenac,  who 
continued  the  discoveries  commenced  by  his  predecessor. 
On  the  10th  day  of  June,  of  the  same  year,  Marquette, 
Joliet,  and  their  voyageurs,  lifting  their  two  canoes  on 
their  shoulders,  walked  across  the  narrow  portage  that 
divides  the  Fox  river  from  the  Wisconsin.  "  The  guides 
returned,"  says  the  gentle  Marquette,  "leaving  us  alone, 
in  this  unknown  land,  in  the  hands  of  Providence. "  Em- 
barking on  the  broad  Wisconsin,  they  sailed  down  the 
stream,  and  on  the  17th  day  of  June  "they  entered  hap- 
pily the  Great  River,  with  a  joy  that  could  not  be  ex- 
pressed;" they  descended  the  river  about  sixty  leagues 
below  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  and  landed  on  the  bor- 
ders of  a  beautiful  prairie,  where  they  discovered  foot- 
prints ;  leaving  their  canoes,  they  walked  about  six  miles, 
and  found  a  village  of  Indians,  who  called  themselves 
Illinois.  Thus  Marquette  and  Joliet  were  the  first  white 
men  who  trod  the  soil  of  Iowa. 

In  1667,  Robert  Cavalier  de  La  Salle,  attracted  by 
these  reports,  embarked  to  seek  his  fortune  in  New  France, 
as  this  part  of  the  country  was  then  called.  Encouraged 
by  the  French  government,  in  1679  he  started  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  Niagara  river,  with  Father  Louis  Hennepin, 
a  Franciscan  missionary,  two  other  priests,  and  thirty  men, 
on  board  a  small  vessel  of  ten  tons.  "  This  vessel  was 
named  the  Griffin,  in  honor  of  the  arms  of  Frontenac, 
Governor  of  Canada,"  and  was  the  first  vessel  of  European 
2* 


18  THE    EARLY    HISTORY 

construction  that  had  ever  ploughed  the  waters  of  the  great 
inland  seas  of  America. 

The  adventurers  proceeded  up  Lakes  Erie  and  Huron 
into  Lake  Michigan.  After  pursuing  the  voyage  as  far  as 
Green  Bay,  La  Salle  sent  the  vessel  back  to  Niagara  with 
a  rich  cargo  of  furs,  while  he  and  his  associates  proceeded 
to  the  southern  part  of  the  lake  to  await  her  return.  The 
ship,  however,  foundered  on  the  lake,  and  nothing  was 
afterwards  heard  of  vessel  or  crew. 

At  the  head  of  Lake  Michigan  and  the  mouth  of  St. 
Joseph's  river,  "he  constructed  the  trading  house,  with 
palisades,  known  as  the  Fort  of  the  Miamis."  Despairing 
of  the  return  of  his  vessel,  in  1680  he  sent  Father  Hen- 
nepin with  two  voyageurs  on  a  tour  of  discovery  to  the 
Upper  Mississippi.  They  descended  the  Illinois'  to  its 
junction  with  this  river,  and  ascended  the  mighty  stream 
far  beyond  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin.  After  a  short 
captivity  among  the  Sioux,  they  returned  by  way  of  the 
Wisconsin  and  Fox  rivers,  to  the  French  mission  of  Green 
Bay. 

It  is  not  within  the  scope  of  this  work  to  relate  the 
events  which  led  to  the  further  discoveries  of  La  Salle, 
and  to  his  taking  possession  of  the  country  on  the  lower 
Mississippi  in  the  name  of  Louis  XIV.  After  his  voyage 
down  this  river  he  returned  to  France,  and,  in  1684,  sailed 
from  there  Avith  a  large  force  to  discover  the  mouth  of  the 
Mississippi,  but  was  unsuccessful  in  his  designs.  After 
building  two  forts  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  garrisoning 
them  with  some  of  his  men,  he  departed  from  the  Bay  of 
St.  Louis,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  Gulf,  on  a  journey 
overland  to  his  fort  on  the  Illinois  river.  Before  reaching 
this  fort  he  was  treacherously  murdered  by  some  of  his 
followers. 

In  the  year  1619,  the  Sieur  de  Luth,  a  friend  and  com- 


OF    WISCONSIN.  19 

panion  of  La  Salle,  appears  to  have  been  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Lake  Superior,  at  Pigeon  river,  on  the  southern 
extremity  of  the  lake,  where  he  built  a  fort  and  trading- 
post,  which  is  still  maintained,  under  the  name  of  Fort 
Charlotte. 

The  efforts  of  these  discoverers  gave  to  the  French  the 
control  of  the  entire  northwest.  But  this  state  of  affairs 
could  not  long  continue.  The  fierce  struggles  between  the 
French  and  English  for  the  mastery  in  Europe  were  carried 
to  America.  The  English  colonists  sided  heartily  with  the 
mother  country.  For  years  the  war  was  confined,  on  this 
continent,  to  predatory  excursions  :  each  party,  connecting 
themselves  with  the  savage  tribes,  met  with  various  success. 

On  the  13th  day  of  September,  1Y58,  the  English  army, 
under  General  Wolfe,  scaled  the  heights  of  Abraham,  and 
met  the  French,  under  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  before 
Quebec.  The  struggle  was  well  contested,  but,  as  usual, 
the  indomitable  bravery  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  carried 
the  day.  The  French  were  totally  routed.  Quebec  sur- 
rendered, and  with  it  the  possessions  of  France  in  America 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English. 

A  few  years  later  the  independence  of  the  American 
Colonies  was  acknowledged  by  England.  After  peace  was 
declared,  that  vast  region  we  have  described  was  included 
in  the  boundaries  of  the  present  United  States,  and  was 
formed  by  the  Ordinance  of  1781  into  the  Northwest  Ter- 
ritory. This  territory  embraced  vast,  uninhabited,  and 
almost  unexplored  regions,  stretching  far  beyond  the  utmost 
limit  of  civilization  and  government ;  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  trading  posts,  its  only  inhabitants  were  the  Indians 
who  roamed  its  wilds  in  pursuit  of  game,  and  who  dis- 
puted, step  by  step,  the  advance  of  the  white  man. 

In  1830,  the  combined  force  of  several  tribes  was  met 
by  the  Americans  under  General  Atkinson  at  the  Bad  Axe 


20  THE    EARLY    HISTORY 

river,  and  totally  routed.  This  was  the  last  struggle  they 
made  on  Wisconsin  soil.  Several  treaties  followed,  by 
which  they  ceded  their  lands  to  the  United  States. 

In  1836,  Michigan,  until  that  time  a  part  of  the  North- 
west Territory,  was  formed  into  a  sovereign  State,  and 
admitted  as  one  of  the  Union.  A  new  territorial  govern- 
ment was,  at  the  same  time,  organized  over  Wisconsin, 
which  included  the  lands  lying  between  Lake  Michigan 
and  the  Missouri  river. 

At  this  period  commenced  a  new  era  in  the  progress  of 
the  northwest.  No  sooner  had  a  few  daring  pioneers  set- 
tled in  the  wilderness,  than  the  eager  spirit  of  trade,  ever 
on  the  watch  for  new  fields  of  adventure,  discovered  the 
rich  promise  of  gain  offered  by  a  region  so  wide  and 
fertile.  Commerce  following  the  footsteps  of  the  pioneers, 
came  with  the  advance  of  the  army  of  population. 

In  1838,  a  new  territorial  government  was  established 
over  that  portion  of  Wisconsin  lying  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, called  Iowa.  The  population  of  the  two  territories, 
at  this  time,  was  about  38,000.  Such,  however,  were  the 
inducements  that  the  fertile  lands  and  mineral  resources  of 
the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  held  out  to  emigrants,  that,  in 
the  year  1843,  it  is  supposed  that  over  60,000  persons  set- 
tled within  her  limits ;  and  from  that  time  to  the  presen* 
her  increase  has  been  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  c* 
the  United  States. 

In  1848,  Wisconsin  was,  by  an  Act  of  Congress,  ad 
mitted  into  the  Union,  constituting  the  twenty-ninth  State 
of  the  confederacy.  Its  limits  were  curtailed  by  making 
the  St.  Croix  river  the  northwestern  boundary,  and  giving 
that  part  of  its  land  between  this  river  and  the  Mississippi 
to  the  Territory  of  Minnesota. 

In  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  name  of  the  State,  a 
communication  to  the  Historical  Society  says  :  —  "  Wis- 


OF    WISCONSIN.  21 

consin  derives  its  name  from  the  principal  river  which  runs 
centrally  through  it.  The  Chippewas  on  its  head  waters 
call  the  river  Wees-kon-san,  which  signifies  '  gathering  of 
the  waters.'  They  gave  it  this  name  on  account  of  its 
numerous  branches  near  its  head  concentrating  into  one 
stream,  which  afterwards  runs  so  great  a  distance  with  but 
comparatively  few  tributaries  to  swell  its  current.  The 
French  voyageur  called  it  Ouisconsin,  the  first  syllable  of 
which  comes  nearer  to  the  sound  of  the  Indian  than  does 
Wis.  An  attempt  was  made,  a  few  years  since,  to  restore 
the  second  syllable  of  this  name  to  its  original  Indian  sound 
by  substituting  k  for  c  ;  but  this  would  not  restore  either  the 
first  or  last.  The  attempt,  however,  was  unpopular,  and 
the  Legislature  solemnly  decreed  that  the  name  should  be 
spelled  Wisconsin  ;  and  this,  probably,  more  from  oppo- 
sition to  the  individual  who  attempted  the  restoration,  than 
from  correct  literary  taste,  or  any  regard  for  the  original 
Indian  name." 

Before  closing  these  remarks  on  the  history  of  this  State, 
a  short  narrative  of  one  of  its  earliest  American  settlers 
may  not  be  out  of  place.  It  was  published  by  the  Wis- 
consin Historical  Society. 

"  One  of  the  earliest  comers  to  the  southwestern  part  of 
the  State  was  Ebenezer  Brigham  of  Blue  Mounds,  the 
oldest  and  undoubtedly  the  first  permanent  American 
settler  within  the  limits  of  Dane  county.  He  journeyed 
from  Massachusetts  to  St.  Louis  in  1818;  thence,  in  the 
spring  of  1828,  he  removed  to  Blue  Mounds,  the  most 
advanced  outpost  in  the  mines,  and  has  resided  there  ever 
since,  being,  by  four  years  at  least,  the  oldest  white  settler 
in  the  county.  The  isolated  positiou  he  thus  settled  upon 
will  be  apparent  from  the  statement  of  a  few  facts.  The 
nearest  settler  was  at  what  is  now  Dodgeville,  about  twenty 


22  THE    EARLY    HISTORY 

miles  distant.  Mineral  Point,  and  most  of  the  other  dig- 
gings, wliere  villages  have  since  grown  up,  had  not  then 
been  discovered.  On  the  southeast,  the  nearest  house  was 
on  the  O'Plaine  river,  twelve  miles  west  of  Chicago.  On 
the  east,  Solomon  Juneau  was  his  nearest  neighbor,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Milwaukee  river;  aud  on  the  northeast, 
Green  Bay  was  the  nearest  settlement — Fort  Winnebago 
not  then  being  projected.  The  country  at  this  time  was 
part  of  Michigan  Territory."  In  1832,  the  Black  Hawk 
war  broke  out,  and  caused  great  trouble  and  loss  to  the 
settlers.  In  1836,  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  was  or- 
ganized, and  settlers  arrived  in  great  numbers. 

"  In  the  twenty  years'  odd  residence  of  Mr.  Brighain  in 
this  region,  what  wonderful  changes  have  passed  before 
him  !  For  several  years  after  his  coming  the  savages  were 
sole  lords  of  the  soil.  A  large  Indian  village  stood  near 
the  mouth  of  Token  Creek ;  another  stood  on  the  ridge 
between  the  second  and  third  lake,  in  plain  view  of  our 
present  location ; '  and  their  wigwams  were  scattered  all 
along  the  streams,  the  remnants  of  their  gardens,  etc., 
being  still  visible.  Then  there  was  not  a  civilized  village 
in  the  State  of  any  considerable  size.  When  the  capital 
was  located  here,  he  was  the  nearest  settler  to  it — twenty- 
four  miles  distant !  He  stood  on  this  ground  before  its 
selection  as  the  seat  of  government  was  thought  of,  and 
from  the  enchanting  beauty  of  the  spot,  predicted  that  a 
village  would  be  built  here.  Fort  Winnebago  was  com- 
menced in  1828,  under  the  superintendence  of  Major 
Twiggs  and  Colonel  Harney,  and  the  protection  it  afforded 
greatly  promoted  and  extended  immigration.  The  rolling 
flood  has  now  reached  700,000,  hundreds  of  villages  have 
sprung  up,  and  everything  is  changed.     From  being  him- 

1  City  of  Madison. 


OP    WISCONSIN.  23 

self  the  sole  proprietor  of  Dane,  he  now  counts  but  one 
of  some  twenty  thousand.  Nothing  remains  of  the  In- 
dians but  their  graves.  He  has  seen  a  savage  people 
pass  off  the  stage,  and  a  civilized  one  come  upon  it, 
and  all  with  a  rapidity  which  must  appear  to  him  like 
a  dream." 


CHAPTER   II. 

FACE  OP  THE  COUNTRY — AREA  —  POPULATION  —  CHARACTER 
OF  THE  SETTLERS  —  FOREIGN  IMMIGRATION  —  CLIMATE. 

The  surface  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin  is  everywhere 
undulating  ;  not  hilly,  much  less  mountainous.  It  may  be 
called  a  vast  plain,  elevated  from  600  to  1500  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  ocean.  The  highest  of  the  Blue  Mounds, 
on  the  line  between  the  counties  of  Dane  and  Iowa,  rises 
1110  feet  above  Lake  Michigan,  and  is,  perhaps,  the  most 
elevated  land  in  the  State.  Towards,  Lake  Superior  the 
slope  is  very  abrupt,  and  the  rivers  short,  rapid,  and  bro- 
ken with  falls. 

Such  being  a  general  description  of  its  surface,  the  im- 
migrant will  not  look  for  Alpine  scenery,  or  the  bolder  and 
sublimer  features  of  the  country  of  high  mountain  and 
deep  valley.  But  in  all  that  constitutes  the  beauty  of  the 
landscape,  whether  in  the  vestments  of  nature,  or  in  those 
of  capabilities  which  cultivation  can  alone  develop,  Wis- 
consin is  without  a  rival.  Among  her  ten  thousand  undu- 
lations, there  is  scarcely  one  which  lifts  its  crown  above  its 
fellows,  which  does  not  disclose  to  the  prophetic  eye  of 
taste  a  possible  Eden,  a  vision  of  loveliness,  which  time 
and  the  hand  of  cultivation  will  not  fail  to  realize  and  to 
verify. 

Wisconsin  is  situated  between  42°  30'  and  46°  58'  north 
latitude,  and  between  87°  and  92°  30'  west  longitude;  it 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Lake  Superior,  on  the  east  by 
Lake  Michigan,  on  the  west  by  the  Mississippi  and  St. 

(24) 


AREA    AND    POPULATION.  25 

Croix  rivers,  while  on  the  northeast  the  rivers  Montreal 
and  Menoraonee  separate  it  from  the  State  of  Michigan. 
It  contains  an  area  of  54,000  square  miles,  exclusive  of  the 
waters  of  Lakes  Michigan  and  Superior. 

In  1840,  its  population  was  30,945,  and  in  1850  it  had 
reached  to  305,538  ;  an  increase  at  the  rate  of  nearly  900 
per  cent,  during  ten  years.  In  1855,  according  to  the 
census  reports,  it  was  552,109.  The  number  of  votes 
polled  at  the  late  Presidential  election,  was,  in  round  num- 
bers, 120,000.  With  this  basis  for  an  estimate,  the  popu- 
lation in  1856  would  not  be  less  than  900,000.'  The 
increase  of  the  present  year,  up  to  July,  1857,  and  the 
foreign  immigration,  moderately  estimated,  would  swell  the 
present  population  to  fully  1,000,000.  The  census  of  1860 
will  astonish  even  the  most  sanguine  —  it  will  reach,  if  not 
exceed,  a  population  of  a  million  and  a  half,  without 
attaining  the  standard  of  increase  of  the  past  two  years ; 
whereas,  our  immensely-increased  railroad  facilities,  and 
other  public  improvements,  together  with  the  flood-tide  of 
emigration,  would  naturally  lead  us  to  expect  even  a  large 
increase  over  the  past  two  years. 

Wisconsin  has  been  greatly  favored  in  the  character  and 

1  In  the  first  district,  three  years  ago,  the  whole  vote  for  Con- 
gressman was  15,484.  In  1856,  the  vote  was  26,125  —  an  increase 
of  12,641  over  the  vote  of  1854. 

In  the  second  district,  the  whole  vote,  three  years  ago,  was 
19,903.  In  1856  it  was  42,337— an  increase  of  22,434  over  the  vote 
of  1854. 

In  the  third  district,  the  whole  vote,  three  years  ago,  was  23,880. 
In  1856  it  was  49,248— an  increase  of  25,368  over  the  vote  of  1854. 

Crawford,  in  the  second  district,  received  8,259  votes  more  than 
Hoyt  did  in  1854,  and  Washburne  received  14,184  more  than  he  did 
in  1854. 

These  returns  show  an  extraordinary  increase  in  the  number  of 
voters  in  Wisconsin  during  the  past  two  years. 
3 


26  CHARACTER    OF    THE    SETTLERS. 

enterprise  of  her  first  settlers.  The  intellect,  education, 
and  integrity,  as  well  as  the  wealth,  enterprise,  and  skill 
of  the  immigrants  from  the  Middle  States  and  from  New 
England,  have  laid  the  foundation  of  a  social  character 
which  will  leave  its  impress  on  this  commonwealth  for 
generations  to  come.  After  filling  up  the  lower  counties, 
the  tide  of  immigration  is  now  setting  strongly  to  the- 
fertile  valleys  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers,  the  shores 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  Lake  Superior.  The  newspapers 
published  in  the  towns  on  the  route  of  travel  are  full  of 
accounts  of  the  vast  numbers  of  settlers  going  to  the  West 
and  Northwest ;  a  large  proportion  of  them  preferring  our 
favored  State.  "  The  cry  is,  still  they  come  1"  By  rail- 
ways and  steamers,  the  immigrants  are  pouring  in  by  hun- 
dreds and  thousands,  from  the  Eastern,  the  Middle,  and 
the  Southern  States,  bringing  with  them  the  qualities  which 
have  made  their  native  States  the  admiration  of  the  world. 
The  liberal  spirit  of  our  constitution  and  laws  invite  them  ; 
here  is  the  place  for  the  young  man  just  starting  in  life,  for 
the  old  man  seeking  to  provide  for  his  children,  for  "all 
sorts  of  men,"  in  search  of  fortune,  fame  or  wealth  ;  there 
is  abundance  of  room,  and  to  spare  The  day  is  not  far 
distant  when  our  increase  and  natural  advantages  will  place 
us  among  the  foremost  States  in  the  Union  ! 

Besides  the  unparalleled  increase  in  population  from  the 
older  States,  Wisconsin  has  been  equally  fortunate  in  the 
numbers,  wealth,  and  material  of  her  foreign  immigration. 
In  the  year  1856,  over  10,000  emigrants  arrived  in  New 
York  alone,  on  their  way  to  settle  in  our  State  —  showing 
that  we  are  well  and  favorably  known  abroad  by  those  who 
have  means  to  come  to  America,  and  have  knowledge 
enough  to  guide  them  in  making  a  selection  before  leaving 
their  European  homes.  If  we  estimate  the  value,  skill,  and 
capital  of  each  of  these  emigrants  at  $100,  we  have  an 


FOREIGN    IMMIGRATION.  27 

augmentation  to  our  wealth,  in  a  single  year,  of  $1,000,000. 
When  we  reflect  that  the  great  majority  of  them  are  able- 
bodied  men  and  women,  accustomed  to  hard  and  perse- 
vering labor,  many  to  different  branches  of  mechanics,  etc., 
and  nearly  all  possessed  of  various  amounts  of  capital,  the 
estimated  value  of  each  to  our  State,  which  we  have  given, 
will  appear  far  below  the  reality.  If  we  estimate  each  one 
at  $500,  we  have  the  large  amount  of  §5,000,000  added  to 
our  wealth  in  a  single  year,  from  foreign  immigration  alone. 
We  must  not  forget  that  numbers  of  foreigners  arrived  by 
way  of  New  Orleans,  and  entered  our  State  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi border;  besides,  great  numbers  arrived  at  the  lake 
ports  by  way  of  Canada.  From  the  quarterly  reports,  it 
would  appear  that  the  number  of  emigrants  arriving  at 
New  York  this  year  will  equal,  if  not  surpass,  that  of 
1854.  As  we  have  now  lines  of  steamboats,  connecting 
with  the  Liverpool  steamships  at  Quebec,  there  will  no 
doubt  be  a  very  large  increase  this  year  from  that  source 
also. 

The  following  extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Railroad 
Commissioners  of  the  State  of  New  York,  to  the  Legis- 
lature, is  a  propos : 

"The  husbandman  of  Germany  may  harvest  one  crop 
on  his  native  soil,  migrate,  plant  and  harvest  another 
within  a  year,  from  his  prairie  farm  beyond  the  Mississippi, 
meanwhile  transferring  himself  and  his  family  over  one- 
fourth  of  the  circumference  of  the  globe. 

"  The  immigration  has  heretofore  been  mostly  from  the 
crowded  fields  and  cities  of  Western  Europe.  In  addition 
to  this,  we  now  have  a  massive  migration  of  the  Scandi- 
navian race  —  not  of  the  pauper  and  enfeebled  classes,  but 
of  almost  entire  communities  —  with  vigor,  wealth,  and 
intellect,  and  with  peculiar  susceptibilities  for  assimilation 
with  American  habits,  seeking  a  new  home,  where  it  can 


28  INHABITANTS. 

reproduce  its  civilization.  As  the  promised  land  to  the 
Israelite,  so  seems  to  them  the  boundless  West,  with  its 
genial  climate,  its  fertile  soil,  and  its  ready  access  to  the 
markets  of  the  world." 

There  is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  the  future  census  of 
the  now  uninhabited  portions  of  Wisconsin  will  not  show 
the  same  ratio  of  increase  as  its  past  settlement  has  ;  and, 
should  such  be  the  case,  Wisconsin  will,  ten  years  hence, 
contain  a  population  of  over  1,800,000.  Its  aggregate 
increase  of  population,  to  the  present  time,  from  all 
sources,  shows  a  relative  advance  far  greater  than  that  of 
any  of  the  Western  States.  The  statistics  of  emigration 
show  that  persons  migrating  usually  seek  a  similar  climate 
to  the  one  they  leave  :  hence  it  is  that  the  population  of 
Wisconsin  is  chiefly  composed  of  immigrants  from  New 
England,  New  York,  the  northern  portions  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ohio,  and  from  Great  Britain,  Germany,  and 
the  northern  States  of  Europe  ;  and  it  is  but  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  a  large  majority  of  the  migrating  popu- 
lation of  these  States  and  countries  will  seek  a  home  in 
Wisconsin. 

Should  our  railroad  companies  pursue  the  enlightened 
and  liberal  policy  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  in  the 
management  of  the  grant  of  public  lands  recently  donated 
to  them  by  Congress,  we  shall  see  a  rapid  increase  of  set- 
tlements and  towns  along  their  route  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  State,  hitherto  unsettled  and  neglected. 

But  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  Wisconsin  does  not 
exhibit  their  relative  strength  and  power.  Our  population 
are  nearly  all  in  the  prime  of  life.  Yon  rarely  meet  a 
woman  past  fifty  years  of  age  ;  still  more  rarely  as  old  a 
man  ;  and  large  numbers  are  too  young  to  have  had  many 
children.  The  Milwaukee  American  says:  —  "It  is  a 
fact,  noticed  and  remarked  by  nearly  every  Eastern  visitor 


INHABITANTS.  29 

to  the  "West,  that  no  small  amount  of  the  business  of  the 
West  and  Northwest  is  conducted  by  youny  men.  Go 
where  you  will,  in  every  city,  town,  and  village,  you  will 
find  more  youthful  countenances,  elongated  with  the  cares 
and  anxieties  of  business  pursuits,  than  those  unacquainted 
with  the  peculiar  circumstances  attaching  to  western  life 
and  enterprise  could  be  made  to  believe.  Youth  and 
energy  are  found  conducting  and  managing  our  railroads 
and  our  banking  institutions.  Beardless  youngsters  are 
seen  behind  the  desks  —  their  desks  —  of  our  counting 
bouses,  and  in  our  manufactories,  mixed  up  with  our  com- 
merce, and,  in  short,  taking  active  parts  in  every  field  of 
business  enterprise.  A  year's  experience  as  a  clerk,  or  an 
agent  for  others,  gives  him  an  insight  into  the  modus 
operandi  of  'making  money,'  and  his  wits  are  set  in  mo- 
tion, and  his  industrious  ingenuity  brought  to  bear  in  his 
own  behalf,  and  he  desires  to  'go  into  business  for  him- 
self.' Frequently  with  a  small  capital,  oftener  with  none, 
he  engages  in  some  branch  of  traffic,  and  in  a  few  years  is 
'well  to  do  in  the  world.'  Such  is  the  history  of  many  of 
the  young  merchants  and  business  men  in  our  State,  and 
we  do  not  believe  that  a  more  enterprising,  intelligent,  and 
thorough-going  business  community  can  be  found  than  that 
of  Wisconsin.  Youth,  energy,  and  a  laudable  ambition  to 
rise  in  the  world,  are  characteristic  elements  of  the  AVest : 
they  have  made  her  what  she  now  is,  and  give  glorious 
promise  of  her  future." 

In  one  of  our  village  or  town  hotels,  crowded  with  mo- 
neyed boarders  —  the  merchants,  bankers,  and  chief  me- 
chanics of  the  place  —  two-thirds  of  them  will  be  found  to 
be  between  twenty-five  and  thirty  years  of  age  ;  their  wives, 
of  course,  still  younger.  Our  population  of  1,000,000  are 
equal  in  industrial  capacity  to  at  least  twice  that  number 
either  in  Europe  or  in  the  Atlantic  States. 
3* 


30  CLIMATE. 

The  question  is  asked  by  thousands  of  persons  in  the 
older  States,  What  are  the  natural  capabilities  and  advan- 
tages of  Wisconsin,  which  have  swelled  her  population  to 
so  large  a  number,  and  increased  her  resources  at  a  rate  so 
far  beyond  those  of  any  of  the  new  States  in  so  short  a 
time  ?  Our  answers  to  all  these  inquiries  will  be  arranged 
under  a  variety  of  heads,  and  we  will  endeavor  to  satisfy 
those  desirous  of  emigrating  to,  or  investing  capital  iu,  the 
West,  that  the  State  of  Wisconsin  presents  superior  advan- 
tages in  climate,  agriculture,  commerce,  and  manufactures, 
to  those  of  any  State  in  the  Union.  Here,  no  one  in  health, 
who  is  willing  to  work,  need  be  in  want ;  if  the  means  do 
not  present  themselves  in  one  section  they  do  in  another. 
In  fact,  our  wide  domain  is  waiting  for  those  who  will 
come  and  avail  themselves  of  its  proffered  wealth  and  inde- 
pendence. 

The  most  important  points  in  which  the  climate  of  Wis- 
consin differs  from  that  of  the  Atlantic  States  may  be 
briefly  enumerated  as  follows  : 

1st.  In  its  almost  entire  immunity  from  spring  frosts  and 
summer  droughts. 

2d.  In  its  salubrity  and  comparative  dryness. 
3d.   In  the  uniformity  of  the  temperature  of  its  winters. 
4th.  In  adaptation  to  the  growth  of  all  kinds  of  grain 
and  other  crops. 

Wisconsin  is  universally  conceded  to  be  the  healthiest  of 
all  the  Western  States.  No  consideration  is,  perhaps, 
more  important  to  those  seeking  a  country  suitable  for 
residence  and  enterprise,  than  the  character  of  its  climate. 
Health  is  the  first,  and  comfort  the  next  great  object,  in 
selecting  a  permanent  abode.  Tested  by  these  qualities, 
Wisconsin  presents  prominent  inducements.  Its  atmo- 
sphere is  drier,  more  transparent  and  bracing  than  those 
of  the  other  States  on  the  same  parallel.     Its  whole  area 


CLIMATE.  31 

is  remarkably  free  from  fevers  and  ague,  which  are  the 
scourge  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri,  and  part  of  Iowa. 

The  latitude  of  the  State  is  between  42°  and  46°  58', 
and  thus,  from  geographical  position,  is  not  liable  to  objec- 
tions existing  either  north  or  south.  It  is  a  settled  fact, 
that  no  nation  has  ever  arrived  at,  or  for  any  period  main- 
tained greatness  or  wealth,  unless,  in  the  changes  of  climate 
in  that  nation,  winter  be  found  to  exist.  The  latitude  of 
Philadelphia  is  about  40°  north  ;  yet,  from  position,  the 
vicissitudes  of  climate  are  greater  than  with  us.  There  the 
winter  is  somewhat  shorter,  and  apparently  concentrated ; 
yet  its  changes  are  destructive  to  comfort  and  health.  New 
York  is  liable  to  similar  but  greater  objections.  With 
every  change  of  wind  there  the  temperature  changes  —  this 
arises  from  the  contiguity  and  antagonism  of  large  bodies 
of  land  and  water — and  can  never  be  averted.  Our  posi- 
tion, approximating  the  centre  of  the  continent,  exempts 
us  from  these  changes ;  and  this  blessing  is  manifested  in 
general  good  health  and  a  corresponding  physical  deve- 
lopment. We  have  no  epidemics;  no  endemics;  mias- 
matic affections,  with  their  countless  ills,  are  unknown 
here  ;  and  the  lustre  of  the  languid  eye  is  restored,  and  the 
paleness  of  the  faded  cheek  disappears  when  brought  into 
our  midst. 

In  spring  no  late  frosts  occur ;  the  whole  country  is 
clothed,  as  by  magic,  in  robes  of  the  greenest  verdure,  and 
a  thousand  varieties  of  wild  flowers  enamel  the  hill-sides 
and  prairies.  It  is  one  of  the  loveliest  sights  in  the  world 
to  walk  out  on  the  prairie  as  the  morning  sun,  rising  behind 
a  distant  swell  of  the  plain,  glitters  upon  myriads  of  dew 
drops.     All  nature  — 

"  Glowing  -with  life,  by  breezes  fann'd, 
Luxuriant,  lovely,  as  she  came, 
Fresh  in  her  youth  from  God's  own  hand." 


32  CLIMATE. 

The  heat  of  the  summer  months  is  not  excessive ;  the 
days  are  warm  and  bright,  generally  with  a  fine  breeze  at 
all  times,  from  the  west,  southwest,  and  south,  and  the 
nights  cool  and  pleasant.  The  temperature  and  duration 
of  this  season  is  adapted  to  perfect  all  the  products  natural 
to  the  latitude,  and  is  not  oppressive. 

Autumn  in  Wisconsin  is  the  most  charming  season  of  the 
year.  A  soft  haze  rests  on  every  object,  mellowing  the 
distant  landscape,  dreamy  in  the  lingering  sunshine  of  the 
dying  year. 

"  Her  harvest  yielded  and  her  work  all  done, 
Basking  in  beauty  'neath  the  autumn  sun." 

In  winter  the  weather  is  uniform,  and  free  from  those 
sudden  variations  of  temperature  to  which  most  other 
latitudes  are  subject ;  owing  to  the  stillness  of  the  air,  and 
the  absence  of  moisture  from  the  atmosphere,  the  cold  is 
less  perceptible  than  in  more  moderate  climes,  where  the 
winds  are  high  and  the  air  raw  and  damp.  Snow  remains 
on  the  ground  till  the  thaws  of  spring,  but  never  falls  to  as 
great  a  depth  as  in  the  New  England  and  Middle  States. 
Navigation  of  the  rivers  is  usually  suspended  by  the  1st 
of  December.  The  Mississippi  closes  by  the  middle  of 
this  month,  and  opens  the  latter  part  of  March.  Lakes 
Michigan  and  Superior  generally  close  and  open  about 
the  same  time. 

From  Mr.  Seymour's  work '  we  quote  the  following : 
"It  is,  indeed,  delightful  in  speculation  to  talk  of  con- 
stant spring,  of  perpetual  verdure,  of  flowers  in  bloom  at 
all  seasons,  of  purling  brooks  never  obstructed  by  ice,  of 
a  mild  climate,  where  Jack  Frost  never  has  the  audacity 
to  pinch  one's  nasal  proboscis  or  spread  his  white  drapery 

1  The  New  England  of  the  West. 


CLIMATE.  33 

over  the  surface  of  the  earth ;  but  it  is  a  problem,  not  yet 
fully  solved,  whether  a  tropical  climate  contributes  more 
to  one's  happiness  than  the  varying  seasons  of  a  Northern 
clime. 

"  Nay,  whatever  doubt  there  is  on  the  subject  predomi- 
nates iu  favor  of  a  Northern  latitude.  Industry,  intelli- 
gence, morality,  and  virtue,  are  exhibited  more  generally 
among  the  inhabitants  of  Northern  latitudes  than  those  of 
Southern. 

"If  one's  physical  enjoyment  is  equally  promoted  by 
the  bracing  air  of  a  cold  climate,  then,  indeed,  the  argu- 
ment is  in  favor  of  the  latter,  for  vigor  of  body  and  purity 
of  mind  are  the  most  essential  ingredients  in  the  cup  of 
happiness.  The  air  of  our  winters  is  dry  and  bracing. 
When  snow  falls  it  usually  remains  on  the  ground  several 
months,  forming  an  excellent  road  either  for  travelling, 
business  or  pleasure. 

"The  rivers  are  securely  wedged  with  ice,  rendering 
many  portions  of  the  country  more  accessible  at  that  sea- 
son than  at  any  other.  An  excellent  opportunity  is  af- 
forded to  the  younger  portion  of  the  community  for  inno- 
eent  amusements — sleighing,  sliding  downhill,  and  skating 
—  amusements  highly  exhilarating,  and  promotive  alike  of 
health  and  happiness.  These  observations  have  been 
made  because  a  greater  value  is  often  set  on  a  mild  south- 
ern climate,  in  reference  to  its  capacity  in  affording  the 
means  of  happiness  or  of  health,  than  it  really  possesses." 
We  have  always  made  it  a  point  to  inquire  of  new  set- 
tlers in  Wisconsin  how  they  liked  the  climate,  and  the 
answer  invariably  was,  that  it  was  far  superior  to  that  of 
the  States  they  had  left  —  whether  Eastern,  Middle  or 
Southern.  One  emigrant  says:  —  "As  the  result  of  my 
observations,  I  would  state  briefly  —  and  in  this  I  do  but 
repeat  a  common  sentiment  —  that  I  would  much  rather 


34  CLIMATE. 

spend  a  winter  in  Wisconsin  than  in  New  York  or  Penn- 
sylvania. True,  the  weather  is  cold  ;  but  it  is  of  that  set- 
tled, steady,  clear  character,  which  we  here  call  '  bracing 
weather.''  No  damp  winds,  no  sloppy  thaw,  no  uncom- 
fortable rains,  but  day  after  day  the  same  unbroken  field 
of  snow,  the  same  clear,  bright  sunshine,  the  same  untrou- 
bled air.  Winter  here  holds  undisputed  sway ;  it  is  not 
a  muddled  mixture  of  all  seasons,  in  which  the  breezy 
spring,  the  clear  autumn,  the  sunny  summer  and  the  rigor- 
ous winter  mingle  and  mix,  and  come  and  go  together. 
You  will  understand  the  force  of  this  distinction  when  I 
tell  you  that  the  first  fall  of  snow  in  Wisconsin  remains  on 
the  ground  during  the  whole  winter  without  a  crust ;  so 
free  is  the  air  from  that  dampness  which,  in  other  coun- 
tries, produce  it.  Who  among  you  has  not  noticed  the 
penetrating  character  of  dampness  in  cold  —  its  chilling, 
searching  qualities  ;  or  who,  on  the  other  hand,  has  not 
gone  abroad  on  days  of  intense  coldness,  but  when  the  air 
was  dry  and  pure,  and  felt  elastic,  buoyant,  and  comfort- 
able. Such  is  a  Wisconsin  winter.  I  suffered  less  from 
the  cold  while  here,  than  I  have  many  times  in  Pennsyl- 
vania when  the  thermometer  stood  much  higher. " 

The  general  opinion  of  physicians  is,  that  consumption, 
that  fearful  scourge  of  the  human  race,  which  desolates  so 
many  thousand  happy  homes  yearly  in  the  Atlantic  States, 
is  not  a  disease  of  this  climate  ;  where  it  occurs  here,  it 
being  almost  universally  in  those  who  have  brought  it  with 
them,  or  in  whom  it  is  in  a  marked  degree  hereditary.  It 
is  also  a  singular  fact,  that  persons  suffering  from  asthma, 
or  "phthisic,"  have  been  greatly  relieved,  or,  in  some  in  ■ 
stances,  permanently  cured,  by  a  residence  in  this  climate.* 

From  a  table  of  the  last  United  States  census,  (an  im- 
partial report,  of  course,)  we  obtain  the  following  facts. 
This  table  gives  the  relative  health,  increase  and  deaths 


CLIMATE.  35 

among  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  States,  and  illustrates 
that  the  number  of  deaths  in  ratio  to  the  number  of  living 
is  :  in  the  State  of  Maine,  1  to  IT  ;  Vermont,  1  to  100  ; 
Connecticut,  1  to  64  ;  Illinois,  1  to  13  ;  Iowa,  1  to  94 ; 
Wisconsin,  1  to  105;  —  and  this  is  not  only  a  fair  com- 
parison among  the  above-named  States,  but,  proportionate 
to  the  population,  exhibits  fewer  deaths  in  Wisconsin  than 
in  any  State  in  the  Union. 


CHAPTER   III. 

AGRICULTURAL  ADVANTAGES,    SOIL,    ETC. 

Wisconsin  offers  more  and  better  inducements  for  agri- 
culture than  any  other  country  can  boast,  and,  owing  to  its 
geological  formations,  presents  a  great  variety  of  soils.  By 
the  late  census,  and  other  data,  it  may  be  safe  and  fair  to 
calculate  that  there  are  about  one  and  a  half  millions  acres 
of  cultivated  land  in  the  State,  which,  as  now  occupied, 
constitutes  about  50,000  farms,  more  or  less  tilled. 

Besides  this  one  and  a  half  millions  acre's  of  improved 
land,  there  is,  within  the  area  of  the  State,  above 
30,000,000  acres  of  land,  of  which  at  least  20,000,000  is 
suitable  to  be  converted  into  productive  and  pleasant  farms 
—  enough  land  to  make  two  millions  additional  farms  — 
waiting  for  occupants,  and  may  be  purchased  at  low  prices, 
ranging  from  $1.25  to  $60  per  acre. 

In  regard  to  the  value  of  improved  lands  in  the  new 
States,  the  same  report  shows  that  the  average  value  is  :  in 
Illinois,  $7.99  ;  in  Iowa,  $6.09 ;  in  Texas,  $1.09  ;  and  in 
Wisconsin  it  is  $9.58 — a  very  fair  show  for  a  young  State. 

And  by  looking  carefully  through  the  tables,  we  find 
that  the  average  value  of  products  per  acre  exceeds  that 
of  the  other  States  named,  in  about  the  same  proportion 
that  the  land  exceeds  theirs  per  acre  in  value.  Draw  a 
line  from  Manitowoc  to  Portage,  thence  directly  to  the 
Falls  of  St.  Croix,  the  farming  lands  lying  south  of  this 
line,  and  comprising  nearly  one-half  the  State,  are  not 
equalled,  in  all  respects,  as  farming  lands,  in  any  State 

(36) 


AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES.  37 

of  the  Union  ;  on  which  an  industrious  farmer  can  raise 
from  30  to  50  bushels  of  wheat,  or  from  50  to  80  bushels 
of  corn  to  the  acre.  North  of  this,  a  belt  of  hard  timber 
extends  east  and  west  150  miles  on  the  latitude  of  Stevens 
Point  —  from  50  to  100  miles  in  width.  The  soil  of  this 
region  is  fertile,  but  the  timber  is  its  present  wealth.  Un- 
like the  prairies,  building  material  for  fences  is  convenient, 
and  no  country  produces  better  Or  more  wheat — the  staple 
crop.  The  indigenous  and  cultivated  grasses  flourish  ad- 
mirably, and,  combined  with  numerous  streams,  afford  the 
best  facility  for  grazing.  This  peculiarity  (abundance  of 
water)  pervades  the  entire  State,  and  presents  inducements 
for  cattle-growing  not  found  in  the  other  prairie  countries, 
where  running  water  is  found  at  distances  too  great  for 
cattle. 

The  prairies  of  Wisconsin  are  not  as  extensive  as  those 
of  Illinois,  Iowa  or  Minnesota,  but,  as  they  are  skirted  and 
belted  by  timber,  are  adapted  to  immediate  and  profitable 
occupation.  The  soil  of  the  prairies  is  a  rich,  dark  vege- 
table mould,  varying  from  two  to  eight  feet  in  depth,  ca- 
pable of  producing,  in  the  greatest  profusion,  anything 
which  will  grow  in  these  latitudes,  and  inexhaustible  in  its 
fertility.  For  centuries,  the  successive  natural  crops,  un- 
touched by  the  scythe,  have  accumulated  matter  on  the 
surface-soil  to  such  an  extent,  that  a  long  succession, 
eveu  of  exhausting  crops,  will  not  materially  impoverish 
the  land.  Dr.  Owen  says  :  "  The  dark  mould  which  pre- 
vails over  a  large  proportion  of  Wisconsin,  so  rich  in 
genie,  has  proved  itself  an  excellent  and  productive  soil, 
especially  adapted  to  the  culture  of  every  species  of  culi- 
nary vegetables  and  small  grain,  and  producing,  probably, 
as  good  Indian  corn  as  the  State  of  New  York,  or  any 
other  State  of  the  same  latitude. 

"  The  power  of  absorption  of  these  lands  is  generally  in 
4 


38  AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES. 

proportion  to  their  amount  of  genie  and  the  lightness  of 
the  soil.  In  general,  the  more  finely  the  parts  of  a  soil  are 
divided,  the  better  they  absorb  water. 

"  This  is  an  important  item  to  the  cultivator.  Lands 
possessing  this  power  in  a  considerable  degree,  readily 
absorb  the  dew  in  dry  weather  ;  and  in  wet  weather  do  not 
suffer  the  superfluous  rain  to  accumulate  on  the  surface. 

"A  striking  feature  in  the  character  of  the  Wisconsin 
soils,  as  an  analysis  shows,  is  the  entire  absence,  in  most 
of  the  specimens,  of  clay,  and  the  large  proportion  of  silex. 
This  silex,  however,  does  not  commonly  show  itself  here  in 
its  usual  form  —  that  of  a  quartzose  sand.  It  appears  as  a 
fine,  almost  impalpable,  siliceous  powder,  frequently  oc- 
curring in  concreted  lumps  that  resemble  clay ;  and,  in- 
deed, it  was  often  reported  to  me  incorrectly  as  clay  —  an 
error  ultimately  detected  by  analysis. 

"This  almost  impalpable  powder,  the  chief  constituent 
and  almost  sole  residuum  of  the  Wisconsin  soils,  is  so  highly 
comminuted  that,  when  examined  under  the  microscope, 
for  the  most  part  its  atoms  present  no  crystalline  or  even 
granular  appearance. 

"  This  fine  siliceous  residuum,  after  being  boiled  with 
strong  aqua  regia,  lost  but  ten  per  cent.,  of  which  but  five 
per  cent,  was  alumina. 

"  This  absence  of  any  material  per  centage  of  clay  in  the 
soils  under  consideration,  prevents  the  rolling  lands  from 
washing  away ;  and  it  imparts  to  the  streams  a  crystal 
clearness,  which  even  after  heavy  rains  is  hardly  disturbed. 
The  appearance  of  these  transparent  rivulets,  flowing  over 
a  soil  which,  when  moistened  by  rain,  is  often  of  an  inky 
blackness,  arrests,  by  its  singularity,  the  eye  of  a  stranger. 

"Whether  the  lack  of  clay  in  the  Wisconsin  soils  will 
render  them  less  durable  may  be  doubted.  A  coarse  sandy 
soil,  the  open  pores  of  which  suffer  the  rain  to  percolate, 


AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES.  39 

carrying  with  it  the  nutritive  genie  from  the  surface,  re- 
quires an  admixture  of  clay  before  it  can  become  rich  and 
durable ;  but  the  minute-grained  siliceous  powder  of  this 
district  forms  a  species  of  soil  entirely  different  from  the 
above  —  one  which,  without  any  such  admixture,  retains 
moisture  and  genie  in  much  perfection. 

"  I  believe  it  to  be  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  growth  of 
the  sugar  beet,  which  flourishes  best  in  a  loose,  fertile 
mould,  and  which  has  of  late  become,  in  some  European 
countries,  an  important  article  of  commerce.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  the  amount  of  beet  sugar  manufactured  in 
France  during  the  year  1840  was  100,000,000  pounds,  and 
in  Prussia  and  Germany  30,000,000  pounds.  In  the  west- 
ern part  of  Michigan,  in  as  northern  a  latitude,  and  in  a 
climate  similar  to  that  of  Wisconsin,  240,000  pounds  are 
reported  by  the  papers  of  that  State  (how  accurately  I 
know  not)  to  have  been  manufactured  the  same  year." 

In  regard  to  the  soil  of  the  mineral  regions,  Dr  Owens 
also  says  :  —  "It  is  a  common,  and  usually  a  correct  re- 
mark, that  mineral  regions  are  barren  and  unproductive. 
'If  a  stranger,'  as  Buckland  has  well  expressed  it  in  the 
opening  of  his  Bridgewater  Treatise,  '  if  a  stranger,  land- 
ing at  the  extremity  of  England,  were  to  traverse  the  whole 
of  Cornwall  and  the  north  of  Devonshire,  and,  crossing  to 
St.  David's,  should  make  the  tour  of  all  North  Wales,  and 
passing  thence  through  Cumberland,  by  the  Isle  of  Man, 
to  the  southwestern  shore  of  Scotland,  should  proceed 
either  by  the  hilly  region  of  the  border  counties,  or  along 
the  Grampians,  to  the  German  Ocean,  he  would  conclude, 
from  such  a  journey  of  many  hundred  miles,  that  Britain 
was  a  thinly-peopled,  sterile  region,  whose  principal  inha- 
bitants were  miners  and  mountaineers.' 

"  Xot  so  the  traveller  through  the  mining  districts  of 
Wisconsin.     These  afford  promise  of  liberal  reward,  no 


40  AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES. 

less  to  the  husbandman  than  to  the  miner ;  and  a  chemical 
examination  of  the  soils  gives  assurance  that  the  promise 
will  be  amply  fulfilled. 

"  I  may  add,  that  I  know  of  no  country  in  the  world, 
with  similar  mineral  resources,  which  can  lay  claim  to  a 
soil  as  fertile  and  as  well  adapted  to  the  essential  purposes 
of  agriculture."1 

In  this  work,  the  writer  wishes  more  particularly  to 
call  the  attention  of  settlers  to  the  northern  part  of  Wis- 
consin. For  years,  valuable  lands  in  this  part  of  the  State 
were  offered  for  sale  at  the  Government  price  ($1.25  per 
acre),  but  with  very  rare  exceptions,  here  and  there,  they 
remained  without  purchasers.  This  neglected  region  con- 
tains some  of  our  most  valuable  agricultural  lands,  and  now 
offers  greater  inducements  to  settlers  than  any  other  part. 
The  new  railroads,  already  commenced  from  Milwaukee, 
through  our  eastern  and  western  borders,  to  Lake  Supe- 
rior, have  received  from  Government  over  2,000,000  acres 
of  these  lands  to  aid  in  their  construction,  and  while  they 
open  the  country  to  agriculturists,  will  doubtless  follow  the 
example  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  in  offering  their 
lands,  on  easy  terms  and  on  long  credits,  to  actual  settlers. 
Let  it  be  remembered,  that  there  are  several  millions  of 
acres  in  this  part  of  the  State  open  to  pre-emption. 

A  great  mistake  prevails  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern 
States  among  those  who  are  preparing  to  come  to  Wis- 
consin. Congress  granted  a  large  amount  of  lands  to  rail- 
roads, and  all  the  Land  Offices  have  been  closed,  so  that 
no  lands  can  be  sold  ;  and,  therefore,  settlers  abroad  infer 
that  they  cannot  get  land,  except  what  they  purchase  at 
second-hand  of  those  who  secured  their  laud  before  the 
closing  of  the  Offices. 

1st.    We  ivish  to  inform  every  one,  that  the  closing  of 
1  Geological  Explorations  in  Wisconsin. 


AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES.  41 

the  Land  Offices  does  not  prejudice  Vie  rights  of  per- 
emption in  the  least. 

2d.  The  Railroad  Grant,  in  its  terms,  respects  all  pre- 
emptions made,  up  to  the  time  the  roads  are  actually 
located.  After  the  location,  pre-empters  are  excluded 
fmm  pre-empting  odd-numbered  sections  only,  within 
six  miles  of  either  side  of  the  roads  as  located. 

3d.  The  closing  of  the  Land  Offices  operates  as  a 
benefit  to  the  poor  man ;  for  it  extends  the  time  within 
which  he  is  required  to  prove  np  and  pay  for  his  land. 

4th.  The  closing  of  the  Land  Offices  teas  intended  to 
operate  in  those  districts  only  where  large  bodies  of  public 
lands  were  subject  to  private  entry.  It  was  done  to  pre- 
vent speculators  from  taking  up  all  the  jyublic  lands  along 
the  line  of  the  proposed  roads,  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
actual  settler.  We  repeat,  the  right  of  pre-emption  is  not 
thereby  affected  until  the  roads  are  actually  located. 

The  Act  of  Congress  says,  that  the  railroads  shall  have 
every  alternate  section  of  an  odd  number ;  that  is,  Nos. 
1,  3,  5,  7,  &c,  for  six  miles  each  side  of  their  tracks,  of 
the  land  not  sold.  Therefore,  all  the  sections  of  an  even 
number  are  virtually  open  to  actual  settlers,  because  settlers 
are  perfectly  safe  ;  and  at  the  land  sales  no  speculator  or 
other  person  will  bid  against  a  settler,  and  he  can  get  his 
land  at  Government  prices  ;  but  the  Government  price  for 
all  lands  within  six  miles  of  the  railroads  will  be  $2.50  per 
acre.  If  they  wish  to  go  farther  off  than  six  miles  from 
the  proposed  railroad  lines,  then  the  price  of  the  lands  will 
be  $1.25  per  acre? 

How  soon  the  railroad  companies  will  get  through 
selecting  their  lands,  and  the  offices  again  be  open,  no  one 
can  tell — possibly  not  before  the  close  of  the  summer.  The 
Government  will  give  at  least  two  months'  public  notice 
of  the  time  of  sale.  There  is  not  the  least  doubt  but  that 
4  * 


42  AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES. 

now  is  the  best  opportunity  that  will  ever  offer  itself  in  the 
West  to  the  laboring  man  of  small  means,  taking  into  con- 
sideration timber,  climate,  and  soil. 

We  would  again  say  to  those  who  wish  to  actually  locate 
upon  and  improve  the  soil,  Noiv  is  the  time  to  make  a 
"claim."  Do  not  be  induced  to  delay  settling  here  until 
a  few  hundred  dollars  have  been  added  to  your  earnings, 
with  the  belief  that  it  will  give  you  a  better  start.  You 
can  do  better  now  with  two  hundred  dollars -than  you  will 
be  able  to  do,  two  years  hence,  with  one  thousand.  These 
lands  are  daily  increasing  in  value,  and  those  who  would 
advance  with  them  should  embrace  this  "  golden  oppor- 
tunity." 

The  following  description  of  the  lands  in  the  valley  of 
the  Chippewa  river,  is  from  the  pen  of  an  intelligent  and 
observing  traveller,  who  recently  made  a  personal  exami- 
nation of  that  country.  These  lands  are  open  to  settlers 
at  Government  price  ;  in  fact,  all  lands  lying  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  State. 

"The  soil,  for  the  most  part,  is  a  deep  rich  sand  loam, 
and  the  face  of  the  country  very  much  as  we  have  pictured 
the  Hunting  Parks  of  Old  England.  About  every  three 
miles,  there  is  a  succession  of  small  streams  starting  from 
the  ridges,  half  a  dozen  miles  back,  and  making  straight- 
way to  the  Chippewa.  The  ground  between  is  nearly 
level,  and  interspersed  with  'gems  of  prairie,'  'oak  open- 
ings,' and  timber,  with  here  and  there  specks  of  hay  marsh, 
just  enough  to  meet  the  wants  of  new  settlers.  In  short, 
the  country  is  about  as  near  right  as  any^jolly  husbandman 
could  ask  from  the  hands  of  Nature.  There  is  no  fact 
which  gives  more  value  to  these  lands,  than  the  general 
healthfulness  of  that  portion  of  the  country  in  which  they 
are  situated.  Well  watered,  possessing  a  pure  and  dry 
atmosphere,  with  no  local  causes  to  produce  fever,  ague, 


AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES.  43 

or  sickness,  in  any  of  the  numerous  forms  often  exhibited 
in  the  more  southerly  parts  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  it  is 
undoubtedly  as  healthy  a  region  as  can  be  found  on  the 
continent.  It  may  be  supposed,  by  some,  that  these  lands 
are  too  far  north  to  be  well  adapted  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. The  supposition  is  entirely  erroneous.  None  of  the 
lands  are  farther  north  than  the  northern  parts  of  the 
States  of  Vermont  and  New  York,  nor  as  far  as  a  large 
part  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  and  nearly  the  whole  of 
Canada,  while  the  more  southerly  portions  of  them  are  in 
the  latitude  of  the  southern  part  of  Vermont  and  central 
New  York.  But  it  is  well  known  that  latitude  is  not  alone 
the  index  of  climate.  London  is  in  latitude  51°  30',  the 
same  as  the  latitude  of  the  upper  or  southern  end  of  Hud- 
son's Bay,  and  of  Queen  Charlotte's  Sound,  on  the  Pacific. 
Paris  is  in  the  latitude  of  the  north  shore  of  Lake  Superior 
and  of  the  Pembina  settlement.  Florence,  where  it  is 
almost  perpetual  summer,  is  in  the  latitude  of  Sheboygan 
and  of  Portland,  Maine,  while  Berlin  is  further  north  than 
a  large  portion  of  the  coast  of  Labrador.  But,  on  the 
American  continent,  it  is  well  known  that  the  climate  on 
the  Pacific  coast  is  several  degrees  milder  than  on  the  At- 
lantic. The  same  causes  operate  to  produce  the  same 
result  as  we  recede  from  the  Atlantic  and  approach  the 
Pacific.  The  isothermal  line  is  continually  bearing  north 
of  latitudinal  lines;  and  it  is  well  known  that  the  climate 
of  St.  Paul,  in  Minnesota,  in  about  latitude  45°,  is  as  mild 
during  the  winter  months  as  that  of  Massachusetts  and 
central  New  York.  St.  Paul  and  Buffalo,  Hudson  and 
Albany,  Chippewa  Falls  and  Rochester,  are  isothermal." 

All  the  arable  lands  in  the  area  above  described  will  be 
intersected  by  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad, 
and  are  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  growth  of  wheat,  oats, 
barley,  buckwheat,  potatoes,  and  all  other  esculent  roots. 


44  AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES. 

Indian  corn,  also  —  especially  of  the  yellow  flint  variety  — 
is  produced  in  great  perfection.  The  whole  country  is 
excellently  adapted  to  grazing.  It  is  well  watered  by  nu- 
merous springs  and  small  creeks,  of  pure  limpid  water ; 
and  small  transparent  lakes,  with  picturesque  shores,  are 
found  in  many  places,  which,  as  well  as  the  creeks,  abound 
with  fish.  The  raising  of  cattle  and  sheep  in  this  region 
will  prove  to  the  farmer  a  profitable  business,  and,  if  viewed 
solely  with  reference  to  its  advantages  for  agricultural  pur- 
suits, there  can  be  no  reason  why,  when  it  shall  be  supplied 
with  railroad  facilities,  it  will  not  become  as  densely  peo- 
pled as  any  part  of  the  State.1 

Every  description  of  husbandry  suitable  to  the  latitude 
may  be  successfully  prosecuted.  The  difficulties  experi- 
enced in  the  Eastern,  or  in  Western  timbered  States,  in 
bringing  lands  under  cultivation,  are  unknown  here;  the 
soil  is  easily  turned  over,  at  the  rate  of  two  acres  to  two 
and  a  half  a  day,  by  a  heavy  team  of  horses,  or  two  yoke 
of  oxen,  or  it  may  be  contracted  to  be  worked,  at  from  $2 
to  $3  per  acre  ;  and  an  active  practical  man  can  readily 
cultivate  ten  acres  here  as  easily  as  one  in  the  Eastern  or 
Middle  States,  taking  them  as  they  run,  while  the  yield  per 
acre  will  be  infinitely  greater. 

Wisconsin  is  one  of  the  largest  grain-producing  States 
of  the  Union.  As  an  example,  the  statistics  of  the  follow- 
ing counties,  for  the  year  1850,  may  be  cited. 

Population.  No.  Acres  cleared.  No.  Farms.  Bush.Wheat. 

Milwaukee 39,077               32,623  985  60,096 

"Waukesha 19,174             104,439  1,703  331,156 

Racine  14,973               64,338  971  281,149 

Kenosha 10,732              50,938  914  318,051 

These  four  counties,  with  a  population  of  83,956,  had 
1  Report  of  the  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Co. 


AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES.  45 

for  exportation  not  less  than  500,000  bushels  of  wheat, 
which,  at  50  cents  per  bushel,  would  be  $250,000.  Be- 
sides, there  were  large  quantities  of  Indian  corn,  oats  and 
barley  raised.  Considerable  attention  has  been  lately  at- 
tracted to  flax,  and  the  quantity  raised  the  same  year,  in 
these  counties,  was  58,304  pounds. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  farmers  of  Wisconsin 
have  been  turning  their  attention  exclusively  to  grain  ;  they 
have  also  engaged  in  the  business  of  stock  raising,  of  the 
dairy,  and  of  wool  growing.  In  the  above-mentioned 
counties,  the  quantity  of  sheep  and  wool  raised,  as  reported 
in  the  census,  was  as  follows  : 

Shoep.  Lbs.  of  Wool. 

Milwaukee 4,356  8,330 

Waukesha  12,430  26,042 

Racine 10,093  20,223 

Kenosha 12,767  33,439 

A  large  number  of  sheep  were  brought  into  Wisconsin 
during  the  year  1851,  from  Ohio  and  Michigan.  The 
produce  of  wool  for  the  year  1853  may  safely  be  estimated 
at  175,000  pounds,  and  in  1857.  the  united  products  of 
these  four  counties  will  not  be  less  than  700,000  pounds. 

These  counties  may  be  taken  as  a  fair  basis,  in  order  to 
form  an  estimate  for  the  balance  of  the  State.  If  we  take 
the  estimate  of  the  census  of  1850  —  20,000  farms  —  as  un- 
der cultivation,  the  amount  realized  by  farmers  on  wool  and 
wheat  alone  would  be,  at  present  prices,  nearly  $3,000,000. 
But  when  we  consider  that  the  population  then  was 
305,538,  and  now  it  is  about  1,000,000,  it  is  manifest  that 
no  correct  estimate  can  be  made,  further  than  that  the 
agricultural  products  have  increased  in  the  same  ratio  as 
the  population. 

The  steady  and  exclusive  prosecution  of  agriculture  on 


46  AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES. 

the  fertile  soil  of  the  mineral  districts,  has  the  advantage 
of  an  active  home  market  and  ready  pay.  There  are  large 
tracts  of  the  very  finest  lands  in  these  districts  which  have 
been  neglected,  from  the  absorbing  nature  of  the  mining 
business,  and  may  be  purchased  at  very  low  rates.  In 
proportion  to  the  growth  of  the  towns  and  villages,  the 
demand  for  the  products  of  the  soil  increases,  presenting  a 
remunerative  home  market  to  the  farmer.  The  surplus  of 
his  corn,  wheat,  oats,  &c,  command  fair  rates  at  the  near- 
est railroad  depot,  as  soon  as  delivered.  On  some  of  these 
lands  it  is  not  uncommon  to  raise  from  80  to  100  bushels 
of  corn  to  the  acre,  of  wheat  40  to  60  bushels,  and  every 
kind  of  vegetables  in  the  greatest  abundance.  The  price 
of  wheat  during  the  year  1856,  was,  on  an  average,  $1.25 
per  bushel.  At  these  prices,  is  it  any  wonder  that  the  far- 
mers in  Wisconsin  are  so  rapidly  accumulating  wealth  ;  or 
that,  with  such  inducements  to  agriculture,  so  many  are 
flocking  here  every  year  ? 

Let  every  farmer  who  has  to  tug  and  toil  on  the  sterile 
and  rocky  soil  of  New  England,  and  some  of  the  worn  out 
Southern  States,  to  support  his  family,  judge  for  himself, 
whether  it  is  better  to  emigrate  to  Wisconsin,  or  stay  where 
he  is ;  whether  it  is  better  to  struggle  for  existence,  and 
feel  the  cold  grasp  of  poverty,  or  roll  in  plenty  and  live  at 
ease. 

Let  those  who  reside  in  cities,  and  cannot  find  profitable 
employment,  come  here,  and  raise  their  food  out  of  the 
bosom  of  the  earth.  Thousands  have  made  the  experi- 
ment, and  to-day  are  among  the  wealthiest  and  most  re- 
spected of  our  citizens. 

We  might  present  to  our  readers  the  testimony  of  hun- 
dreds of  farmers,  in  regard  to  their  experience,  the  capa- 
bility of  the  soil,  and  the  amount  raised  to  the  acre,  but 
our  limited  space  forbids.    In  the  second  part  of  this  work, 


AGRICULTURAL    ADVANTAGES.  47 

on  Lake  Superior,  will  be  found  some  interesting  reports 
from  farmers  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  bordering 
on  the  lake. 

Persons  desirous  of  settling  here  should  not  form  their 
opinions  of  the  capability  of  Wisconsin,  in  an  agricultural 
point  of  view,  upon  the  figures  given  in  the  census  reports 
of  1850,  as  if  they  furnished  a  fair  criterion  by  which  to 
judge.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  that  since  those  statis- 
tics were  made  up,  nearly  five  hundred  miles  of  railroad 
have  been  built  in  the  State ;  that  its  population  has  in- 
creased from  305,538,  to  at  least  1,000,000  ;  that  the  num- 
ber of  acres  now  under  cultivation  is  at  least  double  that 
of  1850  ;  that  all  the  recent  improvements  in  agricultural 
implements  are  in  general  use  ;  and  farmers  stimulated  to 
industry  by  the  late  unprecedented  high  prices.  They 
also  must  not  forget  that,  with  all  this  increase  of  popula- 
tion, hardly  one-fourth  of  the  arable  lands  of  the  State  are 
under  cultivation.  The  conclusions  drawn  from  the  census 
reports  of  1850,  would  be  of  the  most  fallacious  character, 
and  do  great  injustice  to  the  resources  of  our  noble  State. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

GEOLOGY  OF  WISCONSIN — ROCKS  —  LEAD  —  COPPER — ZINC  — 
IRON  —  BUILDING    STONE  —  ANTIQUITIES. 

The  greatest  source  of  wealth  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin 
is  undoubtedly  its  vast  mineral  possessions.  The  mines  on 
the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior  are  believed  to  be  equal 
in  richness  and  extent  to  those  of  Michigan,  which  pro- 
duced, in  1856,  upwards  of  ten  million  pounds  of  copper, 
and  twenty  thousand  tons  of  iron.  Part  of  this  region 
has  been  recently  explored,  and  the  most  incredible  quan- 
tities of  copper,  mixed  with  silver,  have  been  found  ;  also 
zinc,  in  vast  deposits,  among  the  copper.  Wisconsin  is 
equally  rich  in  iron  ;  but,  like  the  zinc,  it  is  a  mere  drug. 
Indeed,  for  some  unaccountable  reason,  it  is  thought  better 
to  import  from  England  into  this  country  millions  of  dol- 
lars' worth  yearly,  when  we  have  literally  mountains  of  it 
here  in  every  direction,  and  of  a  much  superior  quality. 
As  the  northern  part,  bordering  on  the  lake,  is  now  being 
rapidly  settled,  new  discoveries  are  made  daily,  and  it  is  a 
matter  of  great  importance  that  the  State  should  order  a 
new  Geological  Survey,  to  determine  the  extent  of  its  min- 
eral wealth,  for  the  benefit  of  the  agricultural  interests,  by 
disclosing  the  different  characters  of  the  soil,  and  their 
adaptability  to  certain  crops  The  lead  region  of  Wis- 
consin contains  mines  which  are  supposed  to  be  inex- 
haustible, and  decidedly  the  richest  in  the  known  world  ; 
it  is  confined  principally  to  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
State.     Many  other  minerals  are  also  found,  and  good 

(48) 


ROCKS.  49 

marble  and  building  stone  are  abundant  in  almost  every 
part. 

The  mineral  treasures  that  underlie  our  soil  are,  as  yet, 
but  in  the  infancy  of  their  development ;  we  are  'situated 
at  the  head  of  the  two  great  natural  channels  of  internal 
navigation,  which  penetrate  to  the  heart  of  the  continent— 
the  Mississippi  on  the  one  hand,  connecting  us  with  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  ;  and  the  Lakes  upon  the  other,  leading  to 
the  Atlantic.  By  each  of  these  routes,  the  greater  portion 
of  the  produce  of  our  mineral  districts  finds  its  way  to 
market. 

^  There  are  several  very  accurate  and  complete  descrip- 
tions of  the  geology  of  Wisconsin,  and,  instead  of  attempt- 
ing to  give  an  account  of  it,  I  will  embody,  in  this  part  of 
my  work,  the  official  reports  of  Dr.  Owen,  already  pub- 
lished, which  include  a  large  part  of  the  State.  My  own 
observations  of  the  country,  geologically,  being  very  cur- 
sory and  partial,  and  the  survey  of  Dr.  Owen,  under  the 
orders  of  Government,  furnishing  a  very  satisfactory  de- 
scription of  the  country,  I  subjoin  it  entire. 

"  Throughout  the  Western  States,  generally,  the  second- 
ary formation  prevails,  covered  up  in  various  locations, 
sometimes  to  a  considerable  depth,  by  recent  alluvial  and 
diluvial  deposits. 

^  "  This  secondary  series  of  rocks  comprehends  various  sub- 
divisions of  distinct  character,  and  invariable  succession, 
which,  in  their  turn,  have  been  again  subdivided. 

"  Of  these  groups,  the  mountain  limestone  particularly 
claims  our  attention,  as  almost  all  the  rocks  of  Wisconsin 
are  referable  to  that  division. 

"  In  this  State  these  subdivisions  generally  vary  in  thick- 
ness from  one  hundred  to  one  thousand  feet,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  cliff  limestone,  which,  in  some  districts    is 
5 


50  GEOLOGY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

hardly  distinguishable,  and,  in  general,  does  not  exceed 
one  hundred  feet  in  thickness. 

"  Now,  this  cliff  limestone,  so  sparingly  developed  else- 
where, swells,  in  the  Wisconsin  lead  region,  into  the  most 
remarkable,  most  important,  and  most  bulky  member  of 
the  group.  It  attains  to  a  thickness  of  upward  of  five 
hundred  and  fifty  feet,  while  the  underlying  blue  limestone 
(which,  in  Ohio,  is  usually  from  eight  hundred  to  one  thou- 
sand feet  in  thickness)  shrinks,  in  many  places,  to  less  than 
one  hundred  feet,  and,  in  others,  seems  wholly  wanting ; 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  black  slate,  commonly  found 
above  the  cliff  limestone,  seems  also  deficient. 

"The  general  geological  character  of  the  country  ex- 
plored may,  then,  be  thus  briefly  summed  up.  It  belongs 
to  that  class  of  rocks  called,  by  recent  geologists,  secondary, 
and,  by  others,  occasionally  included  in  the  transition 
series.  It  belongs,  further,  to  a  division  of  the  class  of 
rocks  described,  in  Europe,  as  the  mountain  limestone,  or, 
sometimes,  as  the  carboniferous,  metalliferous,  or  encrin- 
ital  limestone.  And  it  belongs,  yet  more  especially,  to  a 
subdivision  of  this  group,  known  popularly,  where  it  oc- 
curs in  the  West,  as  the  cliff  limestone. 

"  This  last  is  the  rock  formation  in  which  the  lead,  cop- 
per, iron,  and  zinc,  of  the  region  under  consideration,  are 
almost  exclusively  found ;  and  its  unusual  development, 
doubtless,  much  conduces  to  the  extraordinary  mineral 
riches  of  this  favored  State. 

"  In  the  northern  portion  of  the  district  surveyed,  an 
interesting  and  somewhat  uncommon  feature  in  the  geology 
of  Western  America  presents  itself.  I  refer  to  the  strata 
(of  considerable  depth)  which  crop  out  along  a  narrow 
strip  of  the  northern  boundary-line  of  this  district,  and 
which  are  chiefly  observable  in  the  bluffs  on  both  sides  of 


LEAD.  51 

the  Wisconsin  river,  whence  (Schoolcraft  and  others  say) 
they  extend  north  even  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony. 

"  The  actual  dip  of  the  rocks  throughout  the  district, 
according  to  the  observations  made  by  Dr.  Locke,  is  from 
nine  to  ten  feet  per  mile,  but  it  is  occasionally  much 
greater. 

"  The  importance  of  observations  on  the  dip  of  the  rocks, 
forming,  as  they  do,  the  materials  to  calculate  the  thickness 
of  each  stratum  at  any  given  spot,  is  very  great.  Indeed, 
such  observations  are  indispensable,  before  an  accurate  esti- 
mate can  be  formed  of  the  value  and  extent  of  a  mineral 
tract.  They  indicate,  with  much  fidelity,  the  depth  to 
which,  at  different  points,  a  productive  vein  of  ore -is  likely 
to  extend. 

1 '  LEAD   MINES. 

"  The  lead  region  lies,  as  will  be  remarked,  chiefly  in 
Wisconsin,  including,  however,  a  strip  of  about  eight  town- 
ships of  land  in  Iowa ;  and  including,  also,  about  ten 
townships  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  Illinois.  The 
portion  of  this  lead  region  in  Wisconsin  includes  about 
sixty-two  townships. 

"  This  lead  region  is,  in  general,  well  watered  ;  namely, 
by  the  Peccatonica,  Apple,  Fever,  Platte  and  Grand 
rivers,  the  head  waters  of  Blue  river  and  Sugar  creek :  all 
these  streams  being  tributaries  of  the  Mississippi. 

"  The  northern  boundary  of  the  Wisconsin  lead  region 
is  nearly  coincident  with  the  southern  boundary-line  of  the 
blue  limestone,  where  it  fairly  emerges  to  the  surface.  No 
discoveries  of  any  importance  have  been  made  after  reach- 
ing that  formation  ;  and  when  a  mine  is  sunk  through  the 
cliff  limestone  to  the  blue  limestone  beneath,  the  lodes  of 
lead  shrink  into  iusignificance,  and  no  longer  return  to  the 
miner  a  profitable  reward  for  his  labor. 


52  GEOLOGY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

"It  will  also  be  remarked,  that  the  designated  lead 
region  is  almost  exclusively  confined  to  the  northern  half 
of  the  cliff  limestone  formation  of  Wisconsin,  which  por- 
tion is  occupied  by  its  middle  and  lower  beds.  The  upper 
beds  (lying  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  district)  do  not, 
as  already  intimated,  furnish  productive  veins  of  lead  ore. 
The  crevices  in  these  upper  strata  seem  to  be  less  numer- 
ous, and  either  empty,  or  filled  with  iron  ore  (hydrated 
brown  oxide),  or  calcareous  spar  (crystallized  carbonate 
of  lime),  to  the  almost  entire  exclusion  of  veins  of  lead. 

"All  the  valuable  deposits  of  lead  ore,  which  have  as 
yet  been  discovered,  occur  either  in  fissures  or  rents  in  the 
cliff  rock,  or  else  are  found  imbedded  in  the  recent  depo- 
sits which  overlie  these  rocks.  These  fissures  vary  in 
thickness  from  a  wafer  to  even  fifty  feet ;  and  many  of 
them  extend  to  a  very  great,  and  at  present  unknown 
depth. 

"Upon  the  whole,  a  review  of  the  resources  and  capa- 
bilities of  this  lead  region,  taken  in  connection  with  its 
statistics  (in  so  far  as  it  was  possible  to  collect  these),  in- 
duces me  to  say,  with  confidence,  that  ten  thousand  miners 
could  find  profitable  employment  within  its  confines. 

"  If  we  suppose  each  of  these  to  raise  daily  one  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  of  ore,  during  six  months  of  each  year 
only,  they  would  produce  annually  upwards  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  million  pounds  of  lead  —  more  than  is  now  fur- 
nished by  the  entire  mines  of  Europe,  those  of  Great 
Britain  included. 

"  This  estimate,  founded  (as  those  who  have  perused  the 
foregoing  pages  will  hardly  deny)  upon  reasonable  data, 
presents,  in  a  striking  point  of  view,  the  intrinsic  value  and 
commercial  importance  of  the  country  upon  which  I  am 
reporting  —  emphatically  the  lead  region  of  Northern 
America. 


COPPER.  53 

"  It  is,  so  far  as  my  reading  or  experience  extend,  deci- 
dedly the  richest  in  the  known  world. 

"COPPER   ORE. 

"  The  copper  ore  of  "Wisconsin  forms  an  item  in  its 
mineral  wealth,  which  would  be  considered  of  great  im- 
portance, and  would  attract  much  attention,  but  for  the 
superior  richness  and  value  of  the  lead,  the  great  staple 
of  the  State. 

"This  ore  occupies,  in  the  district  under  examination, 
the  same  geological  position  as  the  lead  ore  ;  originating 
in  the  fissures  of  the  cliff  limestone.  Discoveries  of  cop- 
per ore  have,  indeed,  been  made  on  a  sloping  hill-side  near 
Mineral  Point,  within  three  or  four  feet  of  the  surface ;  and 
was  there  found  disseminated  and  imbedded  in  an  ochreous 
earth.1  But,  on  following  this  deposit  to  the  opposite  side 
of  the  ravine  (on  section  twenty-two,  township  five,  range 
three  east  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian),  the  copper  ore 
was  traced  into  a  orevice,  and  a  regular  vein  has  there  been 
worked,  to  the  depth  of  thirty  or  forty  feet.  The  pieces 
of  copper  ore  raised  on  this  spot  commonly  weighed  from 
a  few  ounces  to  ten  or  twelve  pounds  ;  and  one  mass  thence 
procured  was  estimated  at  five  hundred  weight. 

"The  course  of  this  copper  vein  is  from  southeast  to 
northwest ;  and  if  this  line  be  continued  either  way,  from 
the  discoveries  at  Mineral  Point,  it  will  strike,  almost  ex- 
actly, the  discoveries  of  copper  ore  northwest  on  Blue 
river,  and  southeast  on  the  Peccatonica  —  a  proof  that  the 
copper  ore  is  not  a  superficial  and  vagrant  deposit,  but 

1  This  earth  frequently  contains  particles,  more  or  less  numerous, 
of  copper  ore,  which  is  then  popularly  termed  "gozzin,"  and  em- 
ployed as  a  flux  in  the  copper  furnaces.  The  gozzin  of  Wisconsin 
yields,  by  analysis,  from  six  to  nine  per  cent,  of  pure  copper  —  a 
large  per  centage  for  such  ore. 
5* 


54  GEOLOGY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

exists  in  veins  of  uniform  bearing ;  and  that  these  veins 
are  continuous,  and,  in  all  probability,  extensive. 

"  The  copper  ore  of  this  region  compares  very  favorably 
with  that  of  Cornwall.  An  analysis  of  a  selected  specimen 
of  the  best  working  ore  of  these  mines,  and  of  three  aver- 
age specimens  of  Wisconsin  ore,  showed  that  the  latter 
contains  from  a  fifteenth  to  a  third  more  of  copper  than  the 
former. 

"  The  Wisconsin  copper  veins  may  rank  among  the  most 
important  that  have  yet  been  discovered  in  the  limestone 
formation. 

"Finally,  the  Wisconsin  copper  ore  derives  additional 
value  in  cousecpience  of  being  found  in  the  vicinity  of,  and 
often  in  the  same  mine  as,  productive  veins  of  zinc  ore." 

The  richest  deposits  of  copper  as  yet  discovered,  are  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State ;  a  much  fuller  description 
of  them  will  be  found  in  the  second  part  of  this  work,  on 
Lake  Superior. 

It  may  be  added,  as  an  additional  fact,  whereby  to  esti- 
mate the  value  of  the  Wisconsin  copper,  that,  in  some  of 
the  European  mines,  "the  ore  does  not  contain  above  three 
per  cent,  of  pure  copper,  and  yet  it  pays  for  working;" 
also,  some  of  the  Cornwall  mines  are  worked  profitably,  at 
a  depth  of  more  than  two  thousand  feet  "from  the  grass," 
as  the  phrase  there  is.  What  a  contrast  these  mines  pre- 
sent to  those  of  Wisconsin,  many  of  which  lie  between  fifty 
and  one  hundred  feet  from  the  surface.  Here  we  have 
inexhaustible  beds  of  the  finest  ore  in  the  world,  which 
have  been  proved,  on  analysis,  to  be  superior  to  the  English 
copper;  besides,  the  miners  say  "they  can  afford  to  raise 
copper  ore  at  the  same  price  as  lead,  namely,  from  one  and 
a  half  to  two  cents  a  pound;"  but  as  it  requires  much 
more  capital  and  skill  than  to  smelt  lead,  they  have  hith- 
erto been  prevented.     In  the  means  of  transportation  we 


zinc.  55 

are  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  world  ;  a  short  distance  of 
from  five  to  ten  miles  will  convey  the  ore  to  the  shipping 
port.  It  is  a  burning  disgrace  to  our  country  that  so 
many  thousand  pounds  of  copper  are  yearly  imported 
from  England,  and  other  parts  of  Europe,  when  we  have 
such  unlimited  quantities  at  our  own  doors.  There  is 
copper  enough  in  Wisconsin  to  supply  the  United  States 
for  years  to  come,  and  to  spare.  All  that  is  wanting  is 
capital  and  men  to  develop  its  rich  resources. 

"  ZINC   ORE. 

"This  ore,  found  in  Wisconsin,  usually  occurs  in  the 
same  fissures  with  the  lead.  It  is  chiefly  the  electric  cala- 
mine— the  carbonate  of  zinc  of  the  mineralogist.  Though 
a  solid  ore,  it  has  an  ochreous,  earthy  aspect,  often  resem- 
bling the  cellular  substance  of  the  bone  :  hence  it  is  fami- 
liarly known  among  the  miners  by  the  name  of  '  dry  bones.' 

"At  some  of  the  'diggins'  large  quantities  of  this  car- 
bonate of  zinc  can  be  procured.  Thousands  of  tons  are 
now  lying  in  various  locations  on  the  surface,  rejected  as 
worthless ;  indeed,  as  a  nuisance.  It  is  known  to  but  a 
few  of  the  miners  as  a  zinc  ore  at  all.  An  analysis  of  this 
ore  proves  it  to  be  a  true  carbonate  of  zinc,  containing 
forty-five  per  cent,  of  the  pure  metal. 

"  Sulphuret  of  zinc  (sometimes  called  blende,  and,  by 
the  English  miner,  'black-jack')  is  also  abundant  in  the 
Wisconsin  mines.  It  contains  from  fifty-five  to  sixty-five 
per  cent,  of  zinc,  but  is  more  difficult  of  reduction  than  the 
calamine. 

"  Sheet  zinc  is  becoming  an  article  of  considerable  de- 
mand in  the  market,  for  culinary  purposes,  and  as  a  cover- 
ing for  valuable  buildings,  instead  of  lead.  But  the  chief 
consumption  of  this  metal  is  in  making  brass,  well  known 
to  be  a  compound  of  copper  and  zinc. 


56  GEOIOGY    OP    WISCONSIN. 

"  Lai'ge  quantities,  both  of  copper  and  zinc,  are  now 
imported  from  Europe  into  the  United  States,  to  supply 
the  continually  increasing  demand  for  brass.  It  is  not  im- 
probable that  the  district  now  under  consideration  might 
furnish  of  both  metals  a  sufficient  amount,  at  least  for 
many  years  to  come,  to  supply  the  entire  United  States 
with  brass  of  home  produce  and  manufacture. 

"  Of  zinc,  at  least,  there  is  assuredly  a  sufficient  supply, 
not  only  for  that  purpose,  but  also  for  exportation.  All 
the  zinc  now  produced  in  Great  Britain  is  trifling  in  quan- 
tity, and  quite  insufficient  for  the  demand  :  so  that  a  large 
quantity  is  imported  annually  into  that  island,  chiefly  from 
Germany  and  Belgium.  The  importation  of  zinc  into 
England,  in  the  year  1833,  exceeded  six  millions  and  a 
half  of  pounds ;  a  fact  which  may  give  us  an  idea  of  the 
importance  of  this  metal  as  an  article  of  commerce. 
Among  the  productive  mineral  resources  of  "Wisconsin,  the, 
at  present  despised,  zinc  ore  may  claim  no  contemptible 
rank. 

"iron  ore. 

"  The  iron  ore  of  Wisconsin  is  of  excellent  quality,  and 
in  unlimited  abundance.  I  explored,  a  few  years  since,  in 
company  with  Professor  Troost,  Geologist  of  Tennessee, 
the  iron  mines  of  that  State,  which  already  furnish  iron  to 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  Western  States.  And  though 
I  have  seen  no  proof  that  iron  exists  in  Wisconsin  in  de- 
posits as  extensive  as  in  Tennessee,  yet  the  locations  of 
iron  ore  are  numerous,  and  the  quality  of  it,  in  general,  is 
as  good. 

"  In  some  of  the  townships,  on  the  Wisconsin  river,  iron 
ore  was  found  scattered  in  innumerable  fragments  over  the 
entire  surface,  and  of  a  quality  so  rich  as  to  be  crystallized 
in  much  perfection.     The  reports  and  specimens  from  that 


IRON.  57 

portion  of  the  district  induce  me  to  believe  that  iron  ore 
can  be  found  there,  on  the  surface  alone,  sufficient  to  sup- 
ply several  iron  furnaces  for  years  to  come."1  In  relation 
to  the  Magnetic  Iron  Beds  of  the  Penokie  Range,  border- 
ing on  Lake  Superior,  he  says:  "The  most  easterly  ap- 
pearance of  magnetic  iron  which  I  observed,  was  in  fissile 
black  slate,  about  four  miles  west  of  the  Montreal  Trail, 
along  which  the  Section  No.  4,  W.  is  made.  About  four 
miles  along  the  strike  of  the  beds,  southwest  by  west,  the 
bed  was  seen  by  Mr.  Randall,  in  1848,  in  the  Fourth  Prin- 
cipal Meridian,  Township  44°  north,  eighteen  miles  from 
the  lake.  "We  may  with  confidence  pronounce  it  to  be  a 
continuous  bed  from  the  meridian  westward  to  Lac  des 
Anglais.  Its  thickness,  richness,  and  value,  vary  very 
much  ;  but  we  found  it  more  or  less  developed,  whenever 
we  crossed  the  range,  and  could  get  a  view  of  the  rock. 
The  bed  of  magnetic  iron  ore  south  of  Lac  des  Anglais  is 
of  extraordinary  thickness — twenty-five  to  sixty  feet.  The 
proportion  of  iron  and  quartz  is  very  variable,  but  the 
separation  of  them  by  mechanical  means  would,  in  general, 
not  be  difficult.  There  are  many  places  in  the  mountain, 
west  of  Bad  river,  which  present  more  than  fifty  feet  of 
quartz  and  iron,  in  about  equal  proportions.  It  should, 
however,  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  whole  region  is  not 
only  covered  so  thickly  with  timber  that  no  distant  views 
can  be  had  without  climbing  trees,  but  the  drift  often  con- 
ceals the  rocks,  over  a  large  proportion,  even  of  the  ele- 
vated ridges.  Where  the  west  branch  of  Tyler's  Fork 
crosses  the  chain,  Mr.  Beesley  found  the  southerly  face  of 
the  uplifts  well  charged  with  a  rich,  heavy  ore,  showing 
thirty,  fifty,  and  seventy  feet,  with  iron  predominating  over 
quartz.  All  the  specimens  we  saw  were  of  the  black  mag- 
netic oxide,  without  any  of  the  red.     The  productive  yield 

1  These  ores  of  iron  yield  from  40  to  60  per  cent,  of  the  metal. 


58  GEOLOGY    OP    WISCONSIN. 

of  such  an  ore  can  only  be  determined  by  trial,  in  properly 
constructed  furnaces ;  but  judging  of  our  specimens  by 
weight,  they  will  afford  fifty  to  sixty  per  cent,  of  the  metal. 
The  analysis  of  one  specimen  yielded  over  sixty-six  per 
cent.  For  present  use  a  supply  of  ore  may  be  obtained 
from  the  rubbish,  at  the  foot  of  the  uplifts,  iu  blocks  and 
pieces,  already  detached  from  the  cliff,  and  the  accompa- 
nying quartz.  "Where  it  is  not  dislodged,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  break  the  whole,  and  then  assort  it.  There  are 
cases  where  numerous  particles  of  the  oxides,  both  red  and 
black  (the  protoxide  and  the  peroxide),  are  disseminated 
through  the  quartz  rock,  above  and  below  the  regular 
beds.  This  might  be  separated  by  bruising  and  stamping 
—  a  process  which  the  whole  must  undergo,  in  order  to  be 
profitably  wrought  in  the  forges. 

"There  is  no  limestone  yet  known  in  the  region  to  be 
used  as  a  flux ;  but  there  is  an  abundance  of  timber  and 
water-power.  There  are  certain  proportions  of  iron  and 
silex,  and  of  silex  and  magnesia,  that  are  easily  fused.  If 
the  silex  of  this  ore  is  not  so  excessive  as  to  make  it 
refractory  —  or,  if  in  practice,  that  difficulty  can  be  reme- 
died by  the  use  of  magnesian  slates,  which  are  abundant — 
these  mines  may  be  wrought  hereafter  at  a  profit,  and  rival 
the  works  of  Northern  Europe.  The  magnetic  ores  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  State  of  New  York,  that  have  pro- 
duced iron  famous  for  its  strength,  are  also  siliceous.  The 
magnetic  iron-ore  is  freed  of  a  portion  of  its  silex,  at  little 
expense,  after  being  bruised,  by  the  application  of  magnets 
acting  on  a  large  scale  upon  the  magnetic  particles.  The 
part  which  enters  chemically  into  the  ore,  forming  a  sili- 
cate, is  not  wholly  cleared  by  working,  but  gives  a  very 
fine-grained  metal,  that  is  peculiarly  good  for  steel.  The 
famous  Swedish  iron  is  from  beds  of  magnetic  ore,  embraced 


IRON.  59 

in  hornblende  rocks,  doubtless  metamorphic,  and  analogous 
to  those  of  Bad  River. 

"The  extensive  mines,  or  rather  mountains,  of  iron-ore 
in  Michigan,  are  also  magnetic,  and  associated  with  meta- 
morphic slates.  These  ores  are,  in  some  cases,  more 
inclined  to  the  peroxide  than  the  Bad  River  beds  ;  but 
specimens  from  the  two  regions  are  often  so  similar,  that 
no  one  would  be  able  to  separate  them,  by  the  texture, 
color,  or  weight.  The  geological  associations  are  precisely 
alike.  In  Michigan,  as  in  Wisconsin,  the  mountains  com- 
posed of  tilted  magnesian,  hornblende,  and  siliceous  slates, 
enclose  beds  of  ore.  There,  as  here,  on  each  side  of  the 
metamorphic  range,  are  igneous  rocks,  of  various  ages  and 
composition  —  quartzose,  granitic,  syenitic,  and  trappous. 
The  ores  of  that  region  have  attracted  attention,  and  one 
establishment  for  making  blooms,  direct  from  the  ore,  has 
been  in  operation  more  than  a  year.  The  iron  is  remark- 
able for  its  solidity  and  toughness,  keeping  its  place  better 
than  Swedish,  and  is  no  more  brittle.  It  possesses  the 
quality  of  being  worked  into  fine  cold-drawn  wire,  and  has 
been  sought  after  by  an  establishment  for  manufacturing 
wire  in  Massachusetts. 

"  The  Iron  Ridge,  and  Ore  Beds  of  Dodge  County,  have 
attracted  much  notice  of  late  years,  partly  on  account  of 
the  interesting  and  anomalous  character  of  the  ore,  and 
partly  because  of  the  great  practical  value  of  a  bed  thus 
situated.  The  'Wisconsin  Iron  Company'  has  the  credit 
of  making  the  first  experiment  upon  this  ore,  and,  in  fact, 
of  erecting  the  first  stack  furnace  in  Wisconsin.  Their 
works  at  Maysville,  in  Dodge  County,  are  driven  by  water, 
and  consume  the  ore  of  the  '  Iron  Ridge,'  which  is  hauled 
on  sleds,  in  winter,  about  four  and  a  half  miles.  The 
analysis  of  the  ore  taken  from  Mr.  Theodore  B.  Sterling's 
saw-mill,  Section  13,  T.  11,  north  range,  16°  east  of  the 


60  GEOLOGY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

4th  Principal  Meridian,  the  course  being  east  and  west, 
as  given  by  Professor  Cassels,  of  the  Medical  College  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  indicates  over  53  per  cent,  of  iron." 

The  richness  of  the  iron  veins  in  this  district,  and  along 
the  Lake  Superior  shores,  cannot  be  correctly  known,  until 
more  mines  are  opened.  But  more  encouraging  and 
numerous  surface-indications  of  an  abundant  supply  of  this 
useful  metal  can  hardly  offer  themselves  to  the  notice  of  the 
geologist.  In  a  country  more  thickly  settled,  and  with 
skill  and  capital  to  spare,  these  would  speedily  cause  and 
justify  the  employment  of  whole  villages  of  workmen.  To 
incidental  causes  alone,  and  not  to  any  natural  deficiency 
of  material,  must  be  attributed  the  custom  of  importing 
annually  from  England,  into  this  country,  millions  of  dollars' 
worth  of  iron  for  railroads  and  other  purposes.  Enormous 
as  is  the  produce  of  Great  Britain's  iron-furnaces,  we 
might  rival  it  in  America.  How  little,  here  in  the  West  at 
least,  we  have  hitherto  improved  our  natural  resources  in 
this  branch  of  commerce,  is  proved  by  the  thousands  of 
tons  of  rich  iron-ore  which  lie  unappropriated  and  uselessly 
scattered  over  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 

But  this  is  not  only  the  worst  feature  of  neglect.  Strange 
as  it  may  seem,  the  iron  rails  laid  upon  the  road  to  Fond 
du  Lac,  (the  nearest  route  to  these  mines,)  were  brought 
from  England,  not  only  across  the  Atlantic,  but  twelve 
hundred  miles  into  the  interior,  and  within  two  hundred 
miles  from  these  rich  iron  mines,  —  mines  as  rich,  as  pro- 
ductive, and  as  easily  worked,  as  those  in  England,  from 
which  these  rails  are  manufactured  and  shipped  so  far,  and 
at  such  enormous  and  unnecessary  expense,  and  this,  too, 
besides  the  government  duties  paid.  This  is  infinitely 
more  absurd  than  the  importing  of  bricks  from  Holland, 
by  the  early  settlers  of  New  York  and  Albany,  and  more 
than  it  would  be  to  bring  lumber  from  Europe  to  build 


BUILDING-STONE.  61 

houses  in  the  very  shadows  of  the  extensive  Wisconsin 
pineries.  This  iron  is  of  a  superior  quality,  and  can  be 
worked  and  furnished  along  the  railway  lines  at  one-half 
the  cost  of  foreign  iron.  The  ore  is  unsurpassed  in  rich- 
ness and  purity,  and  can  be  transported  wherever  there  is 
coal,  and  there  manufactured.1 

Facts,  such  as  these,  call  loudly  upon  Government  for 
additional  acts  of  legislation.  If  English  iron  of  an  infe- 
rior quality  is  allowed  to  enter  our  country,  and  success- 
fully compete  with  the  products  of  our  own  mines,  sufficient 
duties  should  be  levied  upon  it  to  protect  us  from  ruinous 
competition  with  their  large  capitalists,  who,  by  the  low 
wages  they  allow  their  half-starved  workmen,  can  afford  to 
sell  their  iron,  even  with  the  present  low  duties,  at  the  same 
rates  as  ours  can  be  afforded  at  the  mines. 

In  relation  to  building-stone,  Dr.  Owen  remarks:  "I 
was,  for  a  time,  in  doubt  in  regard  to  the  value  of  the 
"Wisconsin  limestone  as  a  building  material.  Much  of  the 
limestone  that  is  taken  from  the  'diggins'  crumbles,  also, 
on  being  exposed  to  the  weather;  yet  a  portion  of  the 
formation  will  yield  some  of  the  best  quarries  in  the  world, 
and  several  excellent  ones  are  already  opened.  For 
example,  on  the  Sinsinnewa  Mound,  at  Mineral  Point,  at 
the  Four  Lakes,  and  (but  not  so  good,)  on  the  Peccatonica. 
This  excellent  building-stone  chiefly  occurs  in  the  lower 
portion  of  the  upper  beds  of  the  cliff  limestone,  and  also 
in  the  lower  beds  of  the  '  Missouri  limestone.'  It  is  of  a 
beautiful,  uniform,  light-yellow  color  —  compact,  fine- 
grained, sharp-angled,  capable  of  receiving  a  handsome 
finish,  and,  if  well  selected,  calculated  to  endure  for  ages 
uninjured.  It  is  very  readily  quarried  in  square  blocks, 
from  six  inches  to  a  foot  in  thickness ;  can  be  obtained, 
however,  doule  or  treble  that  thickness,  and  of  any  required 

■  Report  of  Committee  on  Public  Lands,  May,  1856. 
6 


62  EARTHWORK    ANTIQUITIES. 

horizontal  extent.  The  labor  of  quarrying  is  light,  in 
consequence  of  the  rock  being  exposed  in  cliffs,  so  as  to 
preclude  the  necessity  of  excavation. 

"  The  Magnesian  limestone  of  Yorkshire,  England, 
selected  by  some  of  the  most  experienced  geologists  in  the 
world  as  the  best  building-stone  in  England,  is,  if  not  the 
equivalent  of  the  cliff  limestone  of  Wisconsin,  a  rock  very 
closely  resembling  it.  The  inference  is,  that  some  of  the 
strata  of  the  cliff  limestone  of  Wisconsin  may  be  expected 
to  furnish  building  materials  of  a  quality  the  most  superior. ' ' 

In  many  parts  of  the  State,  more  recent  explorations 
have  been  made,  and  quarries  of  various  kinds  of  marble 
discovered,  which  promise  to  be  abundant  and  valuable. 
According  to  Messrs.  Foster  and  Whitney's  report,  they 
are  found  on  the  Michigamig  and  Mennomonee  Rivers,  and 
afford  beautiful  varieties,  whose  prevailing  color  is  light 
pink,  traversed  by  veins  or  seams  of  deep  red.  Others  are 
blue  and  dove-colored,  beautifully  veined.  They  are  sus- 
ceptible of  a  fine  polish,  and  some  on  the  Mennomonee  are 
within  navigable  distance  of  New  York. 

EARTHWORK  ANTIQUITIES. 

Several  very  singular  monuments,  or  collections  of  monu- 
ments, are  to  be  seen  a  few  miles  from  Madison,  the  capital 
of  Wisconsin.  These  are  conical  elevations  of  earth,  standing 
on  the  prairies,  or  sometimes  covered  by  a  grove,  of  very 
regular  shape,  usually  from  five  to  ten  feet  in  height,  and 
from  thirty  to  fifty  in  diameter,  having  a  circular  base. 
They  are  generally  in  groups,  or  collective  ranges,  some 
half  dozen  or  more  being  placed  in  line,  in  contact  or  con- 
tiguity at  the  bases,  extending  usually  from  east  to  west. 
By  what  people  discovered,  at  what  time,  or  with  what 
design,  is  still  involved  in  doubt.  It  seems,  however,  that 
they  must  have  been  intended  for  receptacles  for  the  dead. 


EARTHWORK    ANTIQUITIES.  63 

The  perfect  regularity  of  shape  and  direction,  forbid  the 
idea  of  a  natural  formation.  The  Indians  know  nothing 
of  them,  have  no  traditions,  and  therefore  the  inference  is 
drawn  that  they  were  the  work  of  another  race,  before  the 
tribes  now  here  possessed  the  country.  To  our  mind, 
however,  the  inference  is  not  a  legitimate  one.  The  Indian 
traditions  are  of  the  creation,  the  deluge,  the  first  appear- 
ance of  man  and  woman  upon  the  earth,  great  events  con- 
nected with  the  formation  and  peopling  of  the  world,  and 
kindred  to  them  ;  but  of  the  extinction  of  tribes  or  nations 
by  war,  pestilence,  and  the  inhumation  of  bodies  slain  by 
disease  or  battle,  they  transmit,  we  believe,  no  story.  Had 
these  mounds  been  constructed  but  a  few  centuries  ago,  the 
present  descendants  of  the  people  who  reared  them,  might 
be  now  informed  of  their  date  or  object. 

These  mounds  were  examined  by  Mr.  Locke,  who  was 
astonished  to  find  that  some  well-informed  persons,  in  their 
neighborhood,  should  pretend  to  dispute  their  artificial 
origin.  He  remarks  :'  "  The  same  ambition  to  exercise 
an  independent  judgment  might  lead  these  individuals  to 
dispute  that  the  ruins  of  Herculaneum  are  artificial ;  the 
same  argument  might  be  used,  that  '  they  just  come  so  in 
the  earth.'  I  am  convinced  of  the  correctness  of  Mr. 
Taylor's  account,2  in  which  he  describes  them  as  being  '  in 
the  form  of  animals'  effigies.' 

"  There  is  another  group  of  works  about  eight  miles  east 
of  the  Blue  Mounds.  They  are  on  the  great  road  from 
Prairie  du  Chien,  through  Madison,  to  Lake  Michigan  — 
a  road  so  decidedly  marked  by  nature,  that  I  presume  it 
has  been  the  thoroughfare,  'the  trail,'  the  great  'war-path,' 
erer  since  the  region  in  the  vicinity  has  been  inhabited  by 
migrating  man,  and  will  continue  to  be  his  pathway  until 

1  In  his  report  to  Dr.  Owen. 

2  Silliman's  Journal,  34  vol. 


64  EARTHWORK    ANTIQUITIES. 

the  hills  and  the  rivers  exchange  their  places. "  In  examin- 
ing some  of  these  works,  I  did  not  discover  a  ditch  or 
cavity  from  which  the  earth  to  construct  them  had  been 
taken.  They  occupy  commanding  hill-tops  and  the  gentle 
slopes  into  the  valleys,  being  uniformly  raised  from  a 
smooth  and  well-formed  surface,  always  above  inundation, 
and  well  guarded  from  the  little  temporary  currents  pro- 
duced from  showers. 

"If  these  figures  were  originally  intended  to  represent 
animals,  they  might  have  been  much  more  distinct  and  specific 
than  they  now  are.  It  is  obvious  that  any  minute  delinea- 
tions must  soon  be  obliterated  by  the  agency  of  the  weather. 
Most  of  them  have  the  upper  part  of  the  head,  the  ears,  or 
antlers,  apparently  too  large  —  at  least  it  appears  so  in  the 
drawings.  They  are  the  favorite  resort  of  badgers,  which, 
finding  them  raised  and  dry,  have  selected  them  for  bur- 
rowing ;  and  it  is  wonderful  that  they  retain  their  outline 
so  perfectly.  But  above  all  the  creatures,  civilized  man 
will  obliterate  them  the  most  speedily ;  and  it  is  much  to 
be  regretted  that  the  multitude  of  extraordinary  figures, 
raised  like  embossed  ornaments  over  the  whole  part  of  this 
country,  could  not  be  accurately  measured  and  delineated 
before  they  shall  be  obliterated  for  ever.  I  had  other 
duties  to  perform,  and  was  enabled  to  take  these  measure- 
ments by  an  enthusiasm  which  awoke  me  in  my  tent  at 
midnight,  and  assisted  me  to  prepare  my  breakfast  before 
day,  and  sent  me  into  the  cold  bleak  fields  on  a  November 
morning,  to  finish  the  admeasurements  of  a  whole  group 
of  figures  before  the  usual  time  of  commencing  the  labors 
of  the  day.  Mr.  Taylor  has  represented  the  effigies  of 
birds,  and  one  of  the  human  figure,  as  occurring  here  ;  and 
I  am  happy,  with  a  full  conviction  of  the  general  accuracy 
of  his  representations,  to  call  the  reader's  atteution  to  his 
interesting  paper. 


EARTIIWORK    ANTIQUITIES.  65 

"  On  one  of  the  hills  I  saw  an  embankment  exactly  id 
the  form  of  the  cross,  as  it  is  usually  represented  as  the 
emblem  of  Christianity.  Some  of  the  surveyors  brought  in 
sketches  of  works  in  the  form  of  birds,  with  wings  expanded, 
and  I  heard  of  others  in  the  form  of  lizards  and  tortoises. 
From  what  I  have  seen,  I  should  think  it  very  probable 
that  these  forms  are  to  be  found.  But  in  order  that  their 
existence  should  excite  in  the  public  that  interest  which, 
as  relics  of  ancient  history,  they  really  possess,  they  should 
be  so  exactly  surveyed  and  depicted  that  their  representa- 
tions can  be  relied  upon  with  confidence.  I  object  to  the 
very  careless  and  imperfect  manner  in  which  most  of  our 
antiquities  have  been  examined,  by  which  they  have  been 
rather  guessed  at,  than  surveyed. ' ' 

Other  earthworks  have  been  found  scattered  over  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  State.  At  Aztalan,  in  Jefferson  County, 
there  is  an  ancient  fortification,  550  yards  long,  215  yards 
wide,  with  walls  four  or  five  feet  high,  and  more  than 
twenty  feet  thick  at  the  base.  Another  work,  resembling 
a  man  in  a  recumbent  position,  120  feet  long,  and  30  across 
the  trunk,  is  to  be  seen  near  the  Blue  Mounds  ;  and  one 
resembling  a  turtle,  56  feet  in  length,  at  Prairieville. 
These  artificial  works  are  generally  without  order,  but 
sometimes  have  a  systematic  arrangement,  with  fragments 
of  pottery  often  scattered  around.  Some  are  so  defaced 
as  to  make  it  difficult  to  trace  the  animal  resemblance 
referred  to,  while  others  are  distinctly  visible.  One  is  said 
to  have  been  discovered  near  Cassville,  resembling  the 
extinct  Mastodon. 


6* 


CHAPTER  V. 

LUMBER  REGIONS   OF  WISCONSIN  —  RIVERS  —  LAKES,  ETC. 

Wisconsin  possesses  peculiar  advantages  as  a  lumbering 
country.  There  are  vast  pine  forests  on  the  Upper  Wis- 
consin and  its  tributaries,  the  Wolf  river,  the  St.  Croix, 
many  branches  of  the  Mississippi,  and  on  Lake  Superior. 
The  other  forest  trees  are  spruce,  tamarac,  cedar,  oaks  of 
different  species,  birch,  aspen,  basswood,  hickory,  elm,  ash, 
hemlock,  poplar,  sycamore,  and  sugar  maple.  The  oak 
openings  form  a  pleasing  feature  in  the  landscape,  and 
comprise  a  large  portion  of  the  finest  lands  of  the  State. 
They  owe  their  present  condition  to  the  action  of  the  an- 
nual fires,  which  have  kept  under  all  forest  growth,  except 
the  varieties  of  oak  which  can  withstand  the  sweep  of  that 
element. 

A  few  years  since  the  lumber  of  Western  New  York, 
and  Pennsylvania,  had  undisputed  possession  of  the  market 
of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  valleys,  above  New  Orleans. 
The  course  of  this  trade  may  now  be  considered  as  perma- 
nently changed.  The  extensive  and  valuable  pineries  of 
Wisconsin  control,  and  will  soon  have  entire  possession  of 
these  markets,  and  also  supply,  to  a  considerable  extent, 
the  country  on  the  lakes. 

The  whole  region  between  the  Wisconsin  and  St.  Croix 
rivers  is  interspersed  with  thick  groves  of  large  white  pines, 
which  are  not  excelled  in  quality  by  those  of  Maine,  New 
Brunswick,  the  Alleghany  or  Susquehanna  rivers,  or  of  any 
other  part  of  the  world.     While  some  of  this  pine  timber 

(66) 


LUMBER    REGIONS.  67 

is  found  in  low  or  marshy  places,  the  largest  portion  ia 
upon  dry  ground,  which,  when  the  timber  is  removed,  is 
well  adapted  to  cultivation.  No  accurate  estimate  has 
been  made  of  the  quantity  of  these  pine  lands.  Upon  the 
Wisconsin,  the  Black,  and  the  Chippewa  rivers,  as  well  as 
their  tributaries,  are  numerous  lumbering  establishments, 
the  annual  product  of  which  exceeds  three  hundred  million 
feet;  while,  in  addition,  saw  logs  are  rafted  and  run  from 
these  rivers  to  the  cities  and  villages  on  the  Mississippi,  to 
be  there  manufactured  into  lumber,  amounting  to  about 
half  the  same  quantity.  The  value  of  the  lumber  products 
of  the  forest,  iu  that  portion  of  the  country  drained  by 
these  four  large  rivers,  already  amounts  to  a  sum  varying 
from  five  to  eight  millions  of  dollars  (though  lumbering  is 
yet  in  its  infancy).  This  article  is  gradually  increasing  in 
value,  and  must  continue  to  increase,  as  the  demand  in  the 
Mississippi  valley  is,  and  ever'  will  be,  greater  than  the 
supply.  The  latter  is  limited ;  the  former  can  have  no 
assignable  limit. 

The  completion  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior 
Railroad  will  open  this  valuable  region  to  the  settler, 
affording  him  an  opportunity  of  supplying  a  large  market 
in  the  southern  part  of  this  State,  and  in  Illinois,  Iowa, 
and  Missouri.  Thousands  of  acres  of  these  valuable  tim- 
ber lands  are  waiting  for  settlers  to  occupy  them,  at 
Government  price  —  $1.25  per  acre. 

Proprietors  of  extensive  pine  lands  have  usually  adopted 
the  policy  of  selling  to  lumbermen  the  right  of  cutting  the 
timber,  receiving  a  certain  stipulated  price  for  what  is 
called  the  "stumpage,"  and  afterwards  selling  the  soil  to 
the  farmer.  The  "stumpage"  upon  the  Penobscot,  the 
Kennebec,  and  the  Androscoggin,  in  Maine,  the  St.  John's 
in  New  Brunswick,  and  upon  the  Alleghany  and  the  Sus- 
quehanna, is  from  $5  to  $8  per  thousand  feet.     The  price, 


G8  LUMBER    REGIONS. 

of  course,  is  regulated  very  much  by  the  market  value  of 
lumber  and  the  supply  of  pine  timber.  Upon  these  lands 
it  would  be  worth  now  from  $2  to  $5  per  thousand  feet, 
depending  very  much  upon  the  distance  it  required  to  be 
hauled.  It  is  safe  to  estimate  the  "stumpage"  at  the 
average  price  of  $2  per  thousand.  Ordinary  pine  trees 
will  yield  at  least  one  thousand  feet  each,  and  it  ought 
hardly  to  be  called  timbered  land  that  will  not  average 
twenty-five  trees  to  an  acre  ;  so  that,  upon  this  calculation, 
the  stumpage  of  these  lands  would  be  $50  per  acre,  which, 
extravagant  as  it  may  appear,  we  believe  is  quite  within 
bounds. 

The  river  St.  Croix,  separating  the  State  of  Wisconsin 
from  Minnesota,  is  celebrated  for  its  pineries.  It  is  esti- 
mated, that  in  the  year  1855  there  was  sent  to  market, 
sawed  and  in  the  log,  300,000,000  feet.  Estimating  the 
average  value  of  this  lumber  "afloat,"  at  $10  per  thou- 
sand feet,  the  value  of  the  trade  for  that  year  would  be 
$3,000,000. 

"  The  lumbermen  of  the  St.  Croix,  during  the  sessions 
of  the  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  Legislatures  of  1850-1, 
procured  the  incorporation  of  the  '  St.  Croix  Boom  Com- 
pany,' with  a  capital  of  $10,000.  This  work  was  consi- 
dered absolutely  necessary,  to  facilitate  the  business  of  dri- 
ving, assorting,  and  rafting  logs.  The  stock  was  speedily 
taken  ;  and  by  the  following  season  the  boom  was  built  and 
ready  for  service.  The  work  is  substantial  and  permanent. 
Piers  of  immense  size  are  sunk  at  proper  distances,  from 
the  Minnesota  shore  to  the  foot  of  a  large  island  near  the 
centre  of  the  stream,  and  again  from  the  head  of  the  island 
to  the  Wisconsin  shore.  The  boom  timbers  are  hung  from 
pier  to  pier,  and  the  whole  river  is  entirely  commanded, 
with  no  possibility  of  scarcely  a  single  log  escaping.  The 
charter  of  the  Company  compels  them,  however,  to  give 


LUMBER    REGIONS.  69 

free  passage  to  all  boats,  rafts,  &c,  ascending  or  descend- 
ing the  river.  This  duty  is  rather  difficult  to  perform  at 
certain  times,  particularly  when  the  logs  are  running  into 
the  boom  briskly,  and  hands  are  not  to  be  had  to  raft  and 
run  them  out.  This  was  the  case  once  this  season.  The 
Asia  came  up  with  a  heavy  freight,  which  she  had  signed 
to  deliver  at  Taylor's  Falls.  When  she  reached  the  boom 
a  barrier  of  three  or  four  miles  of  logs  compactly  inter- 
vened upon  the  water's  surface,  and  forbade  her  further 
progress.  The  Company  had  been  unable  to  procure  la- 
borers to  clear  out  the  logs,  but  were  nevertheless  clearly 
liable  to  damages  for  obstructing  navigation.  They  chose 
the  only  remedy  at  hand,  which  was  to  receive  the  freight, 
and  pay  its  transportation  up  to  the  Falls  in  Mackinaw 
boats.  With  a  full  complement  of  men  the  boom  can 
always  be  kept  clear  at  the  point  where  it  crosses  the  main 
channel  of  the  river. 

"  The  importance  of  the  lumber  business  of  the  St.  Croix 
river  would  hardly  be  estimated  by  a  stranger.  Large 
quantities  are  floated  down  the  Mississippi  to  St.  Louis. 
The  business  of  getting  out  the  timber  is  carried  on  in  the 
winter,  and  affords  employment  to  large  numbers  of  young 
men.  The  price  of  timber,  as  quoted  in  St.  Paul  market, 
is,  for  the  best,  $30  per  M. ;  for  common,  $20." 

The  country  lying  between  Green  Bay  and  the  Wolf 
river,  as  far  north  as  the  State  line  of  Michigan,  is  slightly 
rolling,  with  a  general  depressive  inclination  southerly ; 
generally  the  soil  is  rich  and  productive,  and  extensively 
covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  timber,  viz  :  white  and 
Norway  pine,  hemlock,  rock  maple,  birch,  cedar,  tamarac, 
and  some  other  varieties  in  smaller  quantities.  Pine  lands, 
15  miles  north  of  Fond  du  Lac,  without  any  commercial 
facilities,  except  being  near  some  navigable  stream,  are  now 
worth  from  ten  to  twenty  dollars  per  acre.     Chicago  fur- 


70  LUMBER    REGIONS. 

nishes,  to  St.  Louis,  as  a  regular  business,  large  quantities 
of  manufactured  lumber  from  that  section  of  country  ;  and 
such  is  the  profit  derived  from  this  branch  of  trade  to  all 
concerned  in  it,  that  along  the  streams  of  Northern  Wis- 
consin, navigable  for  lumber,  nearly  all  the  Government 
pine  lands,  for  a  distance  of  15  miles  north  of  Fond  du 
Lac,  have  been  taken  up.  Near  the  Michigan  line  and 
north  of  it,  large  quantities  of  the  most  beautiful  and  valu- 
able curl  and  bird's  eye  maple  abound. 

The  rapids  of  the  streams  flowing  through  this  part  of 
the  country  furnish  abundant  water-power  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  lumber ;  and  on  the  annual  spring  rise,  and  occa- 
sional freshets  at  other  seasons  of  the  year,  the  yield  of  the 
mills  is  floated  from  the  Wolf  into  Lake  Winnebago  and 
the  Lower  Fox.  Large  quantities  besides  are  floated  into 
Green  Bay.  It  is  difficult  to  estimate  the  amount  of  lum- 
ber produced  yearly  in  the  region  under  consideration. 
The  pine  trees  from  which  it  is  made  are  nearly  all  taken 
from  the  public  lands.  From  reports  to  Government,  it 
is  calculated  that  the  timber  on  the  Oconto  and  Wolf 
rivers,  and  on  the  head  waters  of  other  streams,  will  afford 
sufficient  supplies  for  thirty  years,  although  becoming  less 
accessible  every  year. 

Lumber  from  Wisconsin  now  passes  in  considerable 
quantities  through  the  Illinois  Canal  to  the  Mississippi, 
and  the  towns  on  the  Illinois  river. 

The  produce  of  the  Wolf  river  pineries,  although  but 
lately  noticed,  has  hitherto  been  underrated.  It  has  been 
estimated,  by  persons  well  acquainted  with  the  business, 
that  in  logs  and  lumber  an  amount  equal  to  not  less  than 
seventy-five  millions  of  feet  of  pine  lumber  passed  down 
the  Wolf  river  last  year,  and  will  not  be  less  the  present 
year.  The  business  is  increasing,  and  employs  a  great 
many  men  and  teams.     It  is  estimated  that  the  work  of 


LUMBER    REGIONS.  71 

each  ox  team,  and  the  number  of  hands  employing  it,  will 
clear  from  five  to  seven  hundred  dollars  in  a  season  over 
expenses ;  although  there  are  instances  in  which  nearly 
double  that  amount  has  been  made.  Most  of  those  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  of  Wolf  river  are  from  Maine, 
and  state  the  facility  for  getting  logs  out  and  running  them 
to  be  superior  to  anything  in  their  experience.  The  oppor- 
tunities for  going  into  business  have  been  very  favorable 
to  poor  men,  and  at  the  present  time  there  is  no  class  of 
people  in  a  more  thriving  condition  than  the  lumbermen. 
Pine  lands  are  now  held  at  from  five  to  ten  dollars  per 
acre,  and,  in  some  instances,  as  high  as  twenty  for  choice 
tracts. 

The  quantity  of  lumber  manufactured  from  the  various 
regions  or  lumbering  points  in  1854,  was  estimated  as 
follows  : 

Black  River 48,000,000 

Chippewa 60,000,000 

Green  Bay  and  Oconto 100,000,000 

Manitowoc 35,000,000 

St.  Croix 70,000,000 

Bed  Cedar  River 20,000,000 

Wisconsin 125,000,000 

Wolf  River 40,000,000 

Total 498,000,000 

There  are  also  numerous  mills  scattered  throughout 
other  sections  in  the  State,  from  which  no  statistics  have 
been  obtained,  which,  in  all,  would  lead  us  to  estimate  the 
manufacture  in  the  State  as  high  as  five  hundred  and  fifty 
millions  of  feet  in  1854,  since  which  time  the  business  has 
increased  at  least  50  per  cent. 

The  Chicago,  St.  Paul  and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad,  by 
affording   an   easy  communication   to   a   portion   of  this 


72  LUMBER    REGIONS. 

region,  will  render  it  more  advantageous  to  the  settler. 
This  Company  lately  received  over  a  million  of  acres,  being 
a  part  of  the  lands  donated  to  the  State  by  the  U.  S. 
Government  for  railroad  purposes. 

The  Milwaukee  and  Horicon  Railroad  Company,  from 
Milwaukee  to  the  City  of  Superior,  is  about  purchasing 
from  Government  a  strip  of  land,  equal  to  a  million  of 
acres,  which  they  will  select  partly  from  timber  lands.  This 
road,  when  completed,  will  also  open  a  vast  section  of 
country  to  improvement 

Pe?so7is  desirous  of  settling  in  Wisconsin  should  re- 
member that  thousands  of  acres  of  fine  lands,  thickly 
covered  with  timber,  are  yet  open  to  pre-emption,  along 
the  routes  of  these  railroads.  Although  it  is  at  first 
tedious,  and  more  difficult  to  bring  the  soil  under  cultiva- 
tion than  on  the  prairie,  yet  it  is  generally  conceded  that, 
in  the  end,  a  farm  in  the  woodland  will  be  the  most  desi- 
rable ;  the  soil  is  thought  to  be  stronger,  and  better  adapted 
to  wheat,  fruit,  etc.  Emigrants  from  timbered  countries 
generally  select  these  lands,  while  those  from  the  prairie 
regions  of  Illinois  and  Iowa  settle  on  the  prairies  here. 
The  first  crop  is  put  in  on  the  sod,  and  is  generally  very 
good. 

Eastern  capitalists  are  greatly  needed  to  develop  the 
unrivalled  water-power  of  the  rivers  we  have  mentioned, 
as  yet  but  partially  used.  The  immense  pineries  at  their 
sources  are  convenient  to  their  several  falls ;  besides,  the 
growing  demand  for  lumber  in  the  adjoining  States  (with- 
out any  competition  in  the  Mississippi  valley),  presents 
opportunities  for  the  investment  of  their  capital  rarely 
offered.  Most  of  these  rivers  empty  into  the  Mississippi, 
and  are  navigable  for  rafts  and  boats  of  large  size. 


RIVERS.  t3 


RIVERS. 


"Wisconsin  is  more  bountifully  supplied  with  water  com- 
munication than  any  other  State  in  the  Union.  On  its 
western  border  flows  the  mighty  Mississippi,  while  its  inte- 
rior is  traversed  in  every  direction  by  navigable  streams, 
flowing  generally  in  a  southwestern  direction,  and  dis- 
charging their  waters  into  this  great  river. 

The  Mississippi  rises  far  in  the  regions  of  the  northwest, 
and  flows  but  a  short  distance  before  it  becomes  a  broad 
stream.  Sometimes,  in  its  beginnings,  it  moves,  a  wide 
expanse  of  waters,  with  a  current  scarcely  perceptible, 
along  a  marshy  bed.  At  other  times  it  is  compressed  to  a 
narrow  and  rapid  current,  between  ancient  and  hoary  lime- 
stone bluffs.  No  thinking  mind  can  contemplate  this 
mighty  and  resistless  stream,  sweeping  ever  onward  from 
point  to  point,  through  dark  forests,  and  cultivated  lands, 
without  a  feeling  of  awe. 

After  a  course  of  about  two  hundred  miles  from  its 
source,  it  bends  towards  the  east,  and  approaches  within 
forty  miles  of  the  Bay  of  St.  Louis,  the  head  of  ocean 
steam  navigation  of  Lake  Superior.  From  the  earliest 
accounts  we  have  of  this  route  from  the  lake  to  the  river, 
it  has  been  more  generally  traversed  than  any  other  in  the 
northwest.  Large  quantities  of  furs  have  been  sent  from 
the  northern  part  of  Wisconsin  in  bark  canoes  up  the  St. 
Louis  river,  thence  carried  across  the  portage  to  Sandy 
Lake,  and  re-embarked  there  for  the  Mississippi.  This 
trip  has  frequently  been  taken  by  tourists,  and  by  many  of 
the  first  settlers  of  the  City  of  Superior. 

On  the  bosom  of  the  "Mighty  Father  of  Waters,"  the 
agricultural  and  mineral  productions  of  our  State  find  their 
way  to  St.  Louis,  New  Orleans,  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
1 


74  RIVERS. 

Immense  rafts  of  lumber  are  constantly  seen  floating  down 
its  current,  consigned  to  various  ports  on  its  banks. 

The  lands  bordering  on  this  river  are  of  incomparable 
fertility,  equally  adapted  to  the  growth  of  wheat  or  the 
rearing  of  cattle,  and  afford  a  large  surplus  for  exportation. 
The  immigration  to  this  favored  region  is  great.  Tillages 
and  towns  are  rapidly  springing  up,  on  sites  which,  a  few 
years  ago,  were  the  huntiug  grounds  of  various  savage 
tribes.  The  daily  travel  on  steamboats  up  this  river  is 
enormous,  and  increasing  at  such  a  rapid  rate,  that  in  a 
few  years  the  valley  of  the  Upper  Mississippi  will  contain 
a  dense  population. 

The  Wisconsin  is  the  largest  river  that  intersects  the 
State.  It  rises  near  the  northern  boundary,  and  flows 
southward  to  the  Winnebago  Portage,  in  Columbia  county ; 
thence  it  pursues  a  southwesterly  direction  until  it  enters 
the  Mississippi,  four  miles  below  Prairie  du  Chien.  The 
whole  length  is  estimated  at  600  miles.  In  the  upper  part 
of  its  course  it  is  bordered  by  extensive  forests  of  pine 
timber,  of  which  large  quantities  are  sent  to  market.  It 
is  navigable  for  steamboats  to  Portage  City,  about  two 
hundred  miles,  and  a  canal  is  in  process  of  construction 
from  this  point  to  the  Nenah  or  Fox  river,  a  distauce  of  a 
mile  and  a  half.  Once  completed,  heavy  freight  between 
the  Eastern  markets  and  St.  Louis  will  seek  this  channel, 
in  preference  to  that  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal, 
as  now  it  seeks  the  latter  in  preference  to  other  routes. 

The  St.  Croix  river  has  its  extreme  source  in  Lake  St. 
Croix  and  several  other  lakes  that  lie  near  the  west  end  of 
Lake  Superior.  It  is  but  a  short  distance  (four  miles,  we 
believe),  between  this  and  Burnt  Wood  river,  which  flows 
into  that  lake.  Across  the  narrow  portage  which  sepa- 
rates their  waters,  large  quantities  of  furs,  merchandise, 
etc.,  have  been  transported  on  the  shoulders  of  voyageurs, 


RIVERS.  75 

and  re-shipped  in  bark  canoes  for  the  Mississippi.  The 
St.  Croix  river  pursues  a  southwestern  course  from  its 
source,  until  it  reaches  the  east  line  of  Minnesota.  From 
this  point  it  flows  southward,  forming  the  boundary  be- 
tween that  State  and  Wisconsin,  until  it  empties  its  waters 
into  the  "Great  River."  The  whole  length  is  about  two 
hundred  miles.  Large  quantities  of  lumber  are  cut  from 
the  extensive  pine  forests  bordering  on  its  banks,  and 
floated  down  to  the  Mississippi. 

The  Bad  Axe,  Black,  and  Chippewa  rivers,  are  im- 
portant  channels  for  floating  timber  to  market  from  the 
pine  regions  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State. 

The  Menomonee,  emptying  into  Green  Bay,  and  the 
Montreal,  into  Lake  Superior,  are  rapid  streams,  which 
are  valuable  for  mill-sites.  They  form  part  of  the  north- 
eastern boundary.  The  Menomonee  has  a  descent  of  1049 
feet.  There  are  numerous  saw-mills  in  operation  on  its 
waters,  turning  out  large  quantities  of  lumber  yearly, 
which  are  floated  into  Green  Bay. 

The  St.  Louis  river,  considered  as  the  primary  source 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  flows  some  thirty  miles  along  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  State ;  it  is  navigable  a  short 
distance  from  its  mouth,  and  will  be  more  fully  described 
iu  Part  II.  of  this  work. 

The  Fox  River,  or,  as  it  is  called  by  the  Indians,  Xeenah, 
is  one  of  the  most  important  rivers  in  the  State.  It  rises 
in  Marquette  County,  and  flows  nearly  south-west,  towards 
the  Wisconsin  j  when  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  that 
river,  it  changes  its  direction  to  the  north ;  after  flowing  a 
few  miles,  it  passes  through  Lake  Winnebago,  and  falls 
into  Green  Bay.  Its  whole  length  is  estimated  at  two 
hundred  miles. 

The  Fox  River  Improvement  is  designed  to  enable  boats 
to  pass  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi. 


?6  RIVERS. 

The  whole  length  of  canal  necessary  to  secure  a  steam- 
boat communication  from  Green  Bay  to  Lake  Winnebago, 
is  about  five  miles.  It  is  100  feet  wide  on  the  bottom,  and 
120  at  the  top  (two  feet  wider  than  the  famous  Welland 
Canal).  The  locks  are  40  feet  wide,  by  160  long,  and 
built  in  the  most  permanent  manner,  of  solid  stone  masonry, 
and  in  a  style  that  will  not  suffer  in  comparison  with  any 
similar  work  in  the  Eastern  States.  It  is  calculated  that, 
with  the  improved  manner  of  working  these  locks,  a  steamer 
can  pass  each  in  the  short  space  of  three  minutes.  This 
will  afford  a  rapid  transit  for  the  vast  amount  of  freight 
that  must  and  will  seek  an  outlet  through  this  thoroughfare 
to  an  Eastern  market.  The  capacity  of  the  river  for  all 
purposes  of  navigation  is  undoubted  ;  at  no  season  of  the 
year  can  there  be  any  failure  of  water. 

Twelve  miles  above  Oshkosh,  westward,  is  the  mouth  of 
the  Wolf  River,  a  tributary  of  the  Fox,  and  navigable  for 
steamers  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  Forty  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  the  Wolf  River  is  the  town  of  Berlin  ; 
sixty  miles  further -is  Portage  City  and  the  town  of  Fort 
Winnebago  ;  above  which  places,  for  sixty  miles,  and  below 
for  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  miles,  the  Wisconsin  is  now 
navigable  for  steamers. 

Through  these,  a  ready  communication  will  be  secured 
with  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  ;  and  it  is  confidently 
calculated  that,  at  no  distant  day,  steam  tugs,  with  between 
200  and  500  tons  burthen  in  tow,  each,  from  St.  Peter's 
River,  from  St.  Paul,  and  other  places  in  that  direction, 
will  land  their  cargoes  at  Green  Bay,  to  be  shipped  to  an 
Eastern  market.  The  objection  to  be  urged  to  this  route, 
from  so  remote  a  locality,  is,  that  it  will  take  too  long  to 
make  the  transit.  To  this  we  have  to  reply,  that  it  is  esti- 
mated by  those  who  know  better  than  we,  that  this  great 
distance  can  and  will  be  overcome  by  just  these  kinds  of 


LAKES.  77 

crafts  in  from  four  to  six  days,  and  by  passenger  boats  in 
much  less  time. 

This  improvement  will  open  about  1000  miles  to  steam 
navigation,  between  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Mississippi 
River,  including  the  navigable  streams  in  the  interior  of 
Northern  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and  Minnesota. 

This  stupendous  work,  when  completed,  will  do  far  more 
for  the  prosperity  and  advancement  of  the  vast  regions, 
opened  to  the  advantages  of  connection  with  the  Atlantic 
market,  than  any  other  improvement  contemplated. 

LAKES. 

Lake  Michigan.  —  This,  which  is  second  of  the  great 
lakes  in  size,  is,  in  situation,  soil,  and  climate,  in  many 
respects,  preferable  to  them  all.  It  is  the  largest  lake  that 
is  wholly  included  within  the  United  States.  Its  length, 
following  the  curve,  is  360  miles ;  its  greatest  breadth, 
about  90  miles;  contains  16,981  square  miles,  aud  has  a 
mean  depth  of  900  feet.  Its  surface  is  about  600  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea.  On  its  western  shore  is  the  great 
indentation  of  Green  Bay,  itself  equal  to  the  largest 
European  lakes,  being  a  hundred  miles  in  length,  by  thirty 
in  width,  well  sheltered  at  its  mouth  by  the  Traverse 
Islands,  and  having  for  its  principal  affluent  the  outlet  of 
Lake  Winnebago  and  the  Fox  River.  No  lake  in  the 
world  is  surrounded  by  so  rich  an  agricultural  country  as 
Lake  Michigan.  On  its  western  shore  is  Wisconsin,  with 
its  productive  grain  and  grazing  lands,  and  its  immensely 
valuable  lumber  region  ;  on  the  north-west  and  north  is 
that  vast  region  of  mineral  wealth  of  part  of  the  State  of 
Michigan  ;  on  its  eastern  border  is  the  Michigan  Peninsula, 
yielding  its  vast  supplies  of  cereals,  especially  wheat  and 
maize ;  aud  on  the  south  and  south-west  lie  Indiana  and 
7* 


78  LAKES. 

Illinois,  whose  inexhaustible  stores  of  agricultural  products 
amaze  the  world.1 

On  the  Wisconsin  side,  several  large  cities  have  sprung 
up,  which  are  rapidly  increasing  in  commerce  and  wealth. 

The  total  amount  of  the  trade  of  Lake  Michigan  for  the 
year  1851,  was  estimated  at  $58,468,029.  In  1856,  the 
imports  and  exports  of  Milwaukee  alone,  one  of  its  most 
important  ports,  reached  the  sum  of  $48,000,000.  The 
entire  commerce  of  the  Lake  for  that  year  amounted  to  over 
$375,000,000. 

Besides  the  great  lakes  which  border  its  northern  and 
eastern  shores,  Wisconsin  has  a  number  of  smaller  ones, 
varying  from  one  to  thirty-eight  miles  in  extent.  These 
lakes  are  often  surrounded  by  the  most  beautiful  scenery, 
and  abound  in  various  kinds  of  fish,  while  on  their  shores 
are  found  fine  specimens  of  agate,  cornelian,  and  other 
precious  stones.  Large  quantities  of  wild  rice  grow  in  the 
shallow  waters  on  the  margins  of  some  of  them,  and  attract 
immense  flocks  of  water-fowl  to  these  localities. 

Lake  Winnebago,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  is  the 
largest  of  its  inland  lakes.  It  is  about  twenty-eight  miles 
long  and  ten  wide,  with  an  area  of  about  two  hundred  and 
twelve  miles,  and  communicates  with  Green  Bay  through 
the  Fox  or  Neenah  River.  Its  depth  is  unequal,  but  amply 
sufficient  for  purposes  of  navigation. 

"  Four  Lakes"  is  a  name  given  to  a  chain  of  beautiful 
lakes  in  Dane  County,  extending  in  a  line  from  northwest 
to  southeast,  and  emptying  their  waters  into  Catfish  River. 
They  are  very  transparent,  and  of  sufficient  depth  in  most 
places  for  navigation.  The  country  surrounding  them  is 
undulating,  and  consists  mostly  of  prairies  and  "oak 
openings,"  which,  in  the  opinion  of  many,  bear  a  great 

1  Andrews'  Report. 


LAKES.  79 

resemblance   to  English  Park  scenery.      It  is   truly  the 
"garden  spot"  of  Wisconsin. 

First  Lake,  the  lowest  of  the  chain,  is  three  miles  and 
one-eighth  in  length,  by  two  in  width,  covering  about  five 
square  miles.  It  is  situated  a  short  distance  above  Dun- 
kirk Falls,  near  the  southern  line  of  the  county. 

Second  Lake,  the  next  in  order,  is  three  and  a  half  miles 
long,  and  nearly  two  wide  ;  and,  like  First,  has  an  average 
depth  of  twelve  feet. 

Third  Lake  is  next  above,  at  a  distance  of  seven-eighths 
of  a  mile.  It  is  about  six  and  a  half  miles  in  length,  by 
two  in  width.  Madison,  the  capital  of  the  State,  is  located 
on  the  north  shore  of  this  lake,  on  the  strip  of  land  between 
it  and  the  next,  about  one  mile  across. 

Fourth  Lake. — This  beautiful  expanse  is  the  uppermost, 
and  by  far  the  largest  of  the  chain  —  being  six  miles  long, 
about  four  wide,  and  from  fifty  to  seventy  feet  deep  — 
covering  an  area  of  sixteen  square  miles.  It  is  navigable 
for  small  steamboats. 

The  land  around  this  lake  rises  gradually  from  its  mar- 
gin, and  forms,  in  the  distance,  the  most  beautiful  eleva- 
tions, the  slopes  of  which  are  studded  with  clumps  of 
woods,  and  groves  of  trees,  forming  the  most  charming 
natural  scenery.  The  greatest  variety  of  fish  is  to  be  ob- 
tained in  this  beautiful  lake  ;  and  it  is  believed,  that  for 
salubrity  and  fertility,  this  entire  region  will  compare  with 
any  portion  of  the  State. 

"  The  water  of  all  these  lakes,  coming  from  springs,  is 
cold  and  clear  to  a  remarkable  degree.  For  the  most  part, 
their  shores  are  made  of  a  fine  gravel  shingle ;  and  their 
bottoms,  which  are  visible  at  a  great  depth,  are  composed 
of  white  sand,  interspersed  with  granite  boulders.  Their 
banks,  with  few  exceptions,  are  bold.  A  jaunt  around 
them  affords  almost  every  variety  of  scenery  —  bold  escarp- 


80  maiden's  rock. 

ments  and  overhanging  bluffs,  elevated  peaks,  and  gently 
sloping  shores,  with  graceful  swells  or  intervals,  affording 
magnificent  views  of  the  distant  prairies  and  openings  ; 
they  abound  in  fish  of  a  great  variety,  and  innumerable 
water-fowl  sport  upon  the  surface.  Persons  desiring  to 
settle  in  pleasant  locations,  with  magnificent  water-views 
and  woodland  scenery,  may  find  hundreds  of  unoccupied 
places  of  unsurpassed  beauty  upon  and  near  their  margins." 

Lake  Pepin  is  an  expansion  of  the  Mississippi  River, 
west  of  Wisconsin.  In  some  places  it  is  three  miles  wide, 
but  generally  averaging  about  two  and  a  half,  filling  the 
whole  space  from  bluff  to  bluff,  except  at  two  points,  where 
small  meadows  appear,  and  extending  in  length  twenty- 
five  miles  upon  the  river.  It  is  destitute  of  islands.  All 
along  its  shores,  majestic  bluffs  of  limestone  stretch  with 
more  regularity,  and  rise  to  a  height  more  nearly  uniform, 
than  in  other  parts  of  the  river.  At  the  entrance  of  the 
lake,  high  above  all  the  rest,  towers  the  "  Maiden's  Rock," 
some  two  hundred  feet  above  the  water,  grand  in  nature, 
and  associated  with  one  of  the  most  touching  and  romantic 
of  Indian  legends  —  the  oft-repeated  story  of  Winona.  As 
each  passer-by  always  relates  it,  we  will  not  be  an  excep- 
tion—  it  is  an  "  ower-true"  tale  of  Indian  fidelity  and 
affection  :  — 

Winona  was  the  daughter  of  a  celebrated  chief,  who  had 
betrothed  her  to  a  favorite  warrior ;  but  her  heart  had 
been  pledged  to  another,  not  less  noble,  but  more  youthful 
brave.  She  resisted  for  some  time  the  wishes  of  her  father, 
but  at  last  he  vowed  that  she  must  accept  the  object  of  his 
choice.  The  wedding-day  was  appointed,  and  the  chief 
had  proclaimed  a  feast.  Among  the  delicacies  to  be  pro- 
vided for  this  occasion,  was  a  certain  berry  that  was  found 
in  great  perfection  upon  this  bluff.  It  was  on  a  pleasant 
summer's  evening,  and  all  the  female  friends  of  Winona, 


VI 


maiden's   ROCK.  81 

accompanied  by  herself,  were  picking  the  desired  berries. 
Carelessly  did  the  "  dark-haired  maidens"  wander  on  ;  all 
at  once,  a  low  plaintive  song  fell  upon  their  ears,  and  lo  1 
upon  the  very  edge  of  the  frightful  precipice  stood  the 
hapless  Winona.  Her  song  was  death-like  —  she  motioned 
them  to  keep  back  —  then,  one  moment  more,  and  Winona, 
the  pride  of  her  tribe,  was  buried  in  the  clear,  cold  bosom 
of  Lake  Pepin. 

Pure  woman's  love,  mysterious  power, 
From  gentlest  breast  dispels  its  fear — 

Winona,  in  her  darkest  hour, 

Nought  but  its  whisperings  can  hear. 

O'er  that  tall  rock,  her  death-song  floats, 
Deep  and  despairing  love  its  theme, 

Untutor'd  nature  swells  its  notes, 

Closing  life's  sweet,  but  mad'ning  dream. 

Pepin  !  thy  waters  long  shall  lave, 

With  swelling  stream,  yon  rock's  rude  breast; 

It  marks  the  Indian  maiden's  grave, 
Where  one  pure  heart  has  sunk  to  rest. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   PRINCIPAL   CITIES  —  MILWAUKEE  —  MADISON  — 
RACINE,    ETC. 

Milwaukee,'  the  largest  and  most  important  city  in  the 
State,  and,  after  Chicago,  the  most  flourishing  on  the 
lakes,  is  situated  on  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  and 
on  both  sides  of  the  Milwaukee  river.  It  is  pleasantly 
located,  partly  on  the  flats  bordering  the  river,  and  on  the 
bluffs  rising  abruptly  from  the  lake  to  the  height  of  some 
100  feet.  The  river,  running  nearly  parallel  to  the  lake  in 
a  southerly  direction,  is  navigable  for  the  largest  steam- 
boats over  two  miles  from  its  mouth. 

As  the  commercial  capital  of  Wisconsin,  its  situation  de- 
mands particular  attention.  The  laws  which  govern  trade 
and  travel  are,  by  the  improvements  and  spirit  of  the  age, 
reduced  to  two  :  —  1st.  The  shortest  route  to  market ;  2d. 
The  quickest  and  cheapest  mode  of  transportation.  The 
products  of  the  Northwest  seek  a  market  upon  the  Atlantic 
coast.  Heretofore,  New  York  and  Boston  have  monopo- 
lized the  trade  of  this  region.  They  will  always  retain  a 
large  share  of  it ;  but  the  recent  improvements  in  the 
Canadas,  and  those  projected,  are  rapidly  diverting  trade 
to  the  valley  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  Business  relations  are 
being  established  between  the  cities  of  Quebec,  Montreal, 

1  For  the  facts  and  statistics  in  this  article,  we  are  indebted  to 
the  Report  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  prepared  by  its  Secretary,  An- 
drew J.  Aikens,  Esq. 

(82) 


ADVANTAGES    OF    MILWAUKEE.  83 

Toronto,  and  Hamilton,  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Western 
Lake  ports  on  the  other.  As  regards  New  York  and 
Boston,  Milwaukee  holds  the  most  favorable  position  of 
any  port  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan.  Taking 
Buffalo  as  a  common  point  on  all  the  lines  of  trade  be- 
tween these  ports  and  those  markets,  it  will  be  seen  :  1st. 
That  Milwaukee,  by  water  communication,  has  the  advan- 
tage in  time  and  distance  over  any  places  at  the  south. 
2d.  For  the  most  direct  route  to  Buffalo,  either  by  land 
or  water  carriage,  Milwaukee  (so  soon  as  the  direct  com- 
munication by  the  Detroit  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  is 
opened)  presents  the  most  natural  centre  for  all  the  trade 
and  travel  between  the  Northwest  and  the  East. 

It  may  be  remarked  here,  that  this  direct  route,  including, 
as  it  does,  81  miles  of  ferriage,  from  Milwaukee  to  Grand 
Haven,  is  considered  by  some  as  of  doubtful  practical 
utility,  as  a  reliable  and  safe  means  of  communication  at 
all  seasons.  Let  it  be  borne  in  mind,  however,  that  ice 
never  forms  in  Lake  Michigan,  owing  to  its  great  depth, 
and  that  the  two  termini  of  the  ferry,  viz  :  Milwaukee  and 
Grand  Haven  harbors,  would  be  kept  open  by  the  semi- 
daily  boats,  if  not  by  the  direct  action  of  the  waves  of  the 
lake.  The  only  severe  storms  to  be  feared  being  from  the 
N.  N.  E.,  would  not,  even  in  the  worst  cases,  prevent 
good  staunch  boats  making  their  regular  trips,  as  in  leaving 
Milwaukee  harbor  they  would  be  constantly  making  a  wind- 
ward shore  and  smooth  sea,  and  in  leaving  Grand  Haven, 
although  approaching  a  lee  shore  and  rough  water,  would 
have  an  easy  and  safe  access  to  a  secure  river  harbor.  The 
only  days  on  which  regular  trips  could  not  be  made  would 
be  those  when  the  cold  was  so  intense  that  ice  would  form 
rapidly  on  the  running  and  steering  machinery  of  the  boats. 
,  This  would  not  be,  according  to  observations  made  for  a 
;  series  of  years,  more  than  five  days  in  the  year.     Even  the 


84  MILWAUKEE. 

present  winter,  with  thirty  days  of  cold  weather,  the  harbor 
remained  open. 

As  the  general  dh*ection  of  Northwestern  trade  and 
travel  is  coincident  with  the  parallels  of  latitude  instead  of 
those  of  longitude,  and  as  Milwaukee  is  in  the  same  degree 
as  the  great  Eastern  markets,  it  can  be  easily  seen  that  all 
the  contemplated  and  progressing  improvements  must  make 
it  the  natural  centre  or  most  available  common  point  in 
the  Northwest,  whether  by  the  semi-inland  route,  through 
Michigan  and  Canada,  or  around  the  Lakes.  The  advan- 
tages of  this  position  will  be  very  strongly  developed,  so 
soon  as  the  direct  route  east,  via  Grand  Haven  and  De- 
troit or  Port  Huron,  is  opened,  and  our  system  of  railroads 
to  the  Mississippi  completed.  Its  business  radius  will  then 
extend  from  below  Savanna,  111.,  in  the  Mississippi  valley, 
to  the  extreme  Northwest,  sweeping  in  the  trade  of  North- 
western Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Nebraska,  in  addition  to  that 
of  our  own  State. 

The  harbor  of  Milwaukee  is  one  of  the  best  on  the  Great 
Lakes.  The  river  widens  at  its  mouth  into  a  semi-circular 
bay,  63^  miles  from  point  to  point,  and  23^  miles  across. 
At  the  point  of  approach  to  the  lake,  an  artificial  channel 
is  in  progress  of  construction. 

This  new  harbor  entrance  is  260  feet  in  width,  and  will 
soon  be  excavated  to  a  sufficient  depth  to  accommodate  the 
heaviest  tonnage  of  the  Lakes,  and,  when  completed,  will 
make  it  the  most  accessible  and  capacious  on  Lake  Mich- 
igan. The  facilities  presented  by  the  old  harbor  —  in  im- 
proving which  the  United  States  expended,  in  1844-5, 
$50,000 — will  still  be  preserved.  For  over  five-eighths  of 
a  mile  between  these  two  entrances,  the  river  is  both  wide 
and  deep.  Nothing  but  the  grossest  and  most  ruinous 
neglect,  on  the  part  of  the  city  and  of  the  U.  S.  Government, 
will  ever  permit  this  old  harbor  to  fill  up  or  become  useless. 


I 
EDUCATIONAL    ADVANTAGES.  85 


EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES — HEALTHFULNESS  OF  LOCATION 

Milwaukee,  unlike  many  other  cities  of  the  West,  com- 
bines the  advantages  of  trade  with  equal  advantages  of 
education  and  health. 

The  system  of  Free  Schools  was  early  established  in 
"Wisconsin,  by  the  appropriation  of  the  sixteenth  section 
of  every  township  in  the  State  for  the  support  and  mainte- 
nance of  common  schools.  From  the  proceeds  of  the  sec- 
tional and  overflowed  lands,  donated  to  the  State,  it  is 
estimated  that  the  School  Fund  will  amount  to  $5,000,000. 
The  avails  of  this  permanent  fund  are  set  apart  for  the 
purposes  of  education. 

There  are,  in  the  City  of  Milwaukee,  seven  public 
schools.  Each  school  has  a  primary,  intermediate,  and 
grammar  department,  and  each  department  two  or  three 
teachers.  The  amount  expended  for  educational  purposes 
during  the  past  year  (aside  from  school-house  repairs),  was 
about  $15,000.  Of  this  sum,  nearly  $8000  accrues  from 
the  State  Fund. 

Besides  the  public  schools,  the  city  has  a  University,  in- 
corporated with  full  powers,  and  in  successful  operation, 
not  inferior  to  any  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  West.  It 
has,  also,  a  Female  College  in  flourishing  condition.  In 
addition  to  these,  there  are  several  private  schools  of  cha- 
racter and  reputation,  and  a  fully-organized  Commercial 
College,  all  of  which  are  well  patronized  and  sustained. 

Built  upon  the  high  bluffs  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  the 
picturesque  slopes  of  the  Milwaukee  river,  this  city  is  un- 
rivalled in  beauty  of  location  by  any  other  in  the  North- 
west. It  is  a  rare  circumstance  to  hear  of  a  person  of 
delicate  health  leaving  it  on  account  of  difficulty  of  accli- 
mation.    On  the  other  hand,  instances  are  numerous  of 


86 


MILWAUKEE. 


people  coming  here  with  tendency  to  diseases  of  various 
kinds,  who  have,  after  a  few  years'  residence,  entirely  re- 
covered. In  summer  it  is  not  subject  to  the  excessively  hot 
and  sultry  weather  of  low  towns,  and  in  winter  there  is  not 
the  same  intensity  of  cold  —  the  lake  being  colder  than  the 
atmosphere  in  summer  and  warmer  in  winter.  We  estimate 
the  mortality  for  the  past  year  at  two  per  cent.,  being  less 
than  the  average  of  Boston  or  Buffalo  for  the  past  five 
years. 

POPULATION. 

The  rise,  history,  and  growth  of  the  City  of  Milwaukee, 
is  one  of  the  wonders  of  a  marvellous  age  and  region.  A 
few  years  ago  the  present  site  was  a  solitary  waste,  or  field 
of  savage  warfare.  In  1834  it  contained  only  two  log 
houses.  The  following  table  will  show  its  rapid  increase, 
up  to  the  present  date. 


1838 700 

1840 1,751 

1842 2,700 

1846 9,655 

1847 14,061 


1850 20,000 

1853 25,000 

1855 32,000 

1857 45,000 

1860 estimated  60,000 


This  increase  has  not  been  spasmodic  or  forced,  but  has 
followed  the  growth  of  the  country  tributary  to  it. 


VALUATION. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  assessed  valuation  of 
the  real  and  personal  property  of  the  city.  The  prepon- 
derance in  favor  of  the  Third  Ward  is  owing  to  the  fact 
that  the  heaviest  part  of  the  mercantile  wealth  is  located 
here,  and  constitutes  nearly  one-half  of  its  valuation. 


BUILDINGS    AND    IMPROVEMENTS.  87 

First  Ward $3,262,260 

Second  Ward 3,095,950 

Third  Ward 8,958,850 

Fourth  Ward 5,358,470 

Fifth  Ward 5,094,110 

Sixth  Ward 1,999,190 

Seventh  Ward 6,388,340 

Total $35,45S,130 

The  actual  indebtedness  of  the  city  on  the  4th  of  March, 
1856,  as  reported  by  the  City  Comptroller,  was  $229,550. 

The  tax  list  is  divided  as  follows  for  the  current  year 
of  1857 : 

Ward  Tax $69,935 

Interest  Tax 31,196 

County  Tax 47,944 

City  Expenses 23,976 

State  Tax 22,374 

School  Tax 9,588 

Total  Taxation $199,013 

EEAL   ESTATE   TRANSACTIONS. 

Real  estate  during  the  first  six  months  of  the  past  year 
advanced  rapidly,  and  at  the  rate  of  25  to  30  per  cent, 
increase  on  the  prices  of  1855.  It  closed  with  prices 
steady  at  the  advance  made  in  the  early  part  of  the  season. 
It  was  marked  by  great  activity  in  building,  and  the  im- 
provements were  of  the  most  substantial  character.  In 
fact,  their  extent  has  been  only  limited  by  the  supply  of 
material  and  mechanics. 

BUILDINGS   AND   IMPROVEMENTS. 

Formerly,  the  brickmakers  of  Milwaukee  were  able  to 
supply  the  consumption  at  home,  and  also  export  to  the 
extent  of  12,000,000.     During  the  past  year,  although 


88  MILWAUKEE. 

there  has  been  a  large  increase  of  manufacture,  less  than 
1,000,000  of  bricks  were  exported,  and  of  this  number  a 
great  share  was  on  old  contracts.  Large  numbers  of  stores 
were  erected,  many  of  them  spacious  and  valuable  build- 
ings. As  nearly  as  we  can  ascertain,  there  are  of  this  class 
75  stores,  of  an  aggregate  cost  of  $250,000.  In  addition 
to  these  improvements,  there  were  erected  500  small  build- 
ings, including  shops,  offices,  and  dwellings,  costing,  on 
an  average,  $1000  each,  at  an  aggregate  cost  of  $500,000. 

Besides  the  improvements  we  have  mentioned,  there 
were  many  other  buildings  erected.  The  amount  expended 
upon  construction  and  repairs,  exclusive  of  streets  and 
ground,  exceeds  $2,150,000. 

In  this  connection  it  is  pertinent  to  remark,  that  Mil- 
waukee is  celebrated  for  the  manufacture  of  a  peculiar  kind 
of  brick,  of  a  delicate  cream  or  straw  color,  agreeable  to 
the  eye,  and  unaffected  by  the  action  of  the  elements.  The 
appearance  of  the  houses,  chiefly  built  of  this  material,  is 
very  striking,  and  to  a  stranger  visiting  the  place  for  the 
first  time,  presents  an  admirable  and  remarkable  sight. 
Few  cities  in  the  country  (if,  indeed,  there  are  any)  have 
the  materials  for  building  more  at  hand,  or  of  finer  quality, 
than  this.  Not  only  quarries  of  beautiful,  light-colored 
stone,  within  the  limits  of  the  city,  and  adjacent  to  the 
railroads,  but  also  lime  in  abundance  for  home  consump- 
tion and  exportation. 

As  to  lumber,  the  pineries  of  the  north  supply  the  city 
with  100,000,000  feet  annually. 

WHOLESALE   TRADE. 

The  wholesale  business  of  Milwaukee  has  received  a 
great  impetus  lately,  on  account  of  the  penetration  of  the 
interior  of  the  State  by  railroads,  and  the  opening  of  a 
direct  road  to  the  Mississippi.    From  present  appearances, 


WHOLESALE     TRADE.  89 

there  is  abundant  reason  for  believing  that  this  part  of  its 
trade  has  but  just  begun,  and  that  the  future  will  see  it 
increase  in  still  greater  ratio. 

During  the  present  year,  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi 
Railroad  was  opened  to  Galena  and  Dubuque,  and  also  to 
Prairie  du  Chien.  By  either  of  these  routes  merchandise 
can  be  delivered  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  with  less  railroad  transit  than  any  routes  now  in 
existence. 

Among  the  most  important  railroads  is  the  Milwaukee 
and  La  Crosse,  which  passes  through  the  interior  of  the 
State,  opening  up  some  of  the  finest  farming  lands  in  the 
West ;  also  running  its  branches  into  the  lumber  and 
mining  regions  of  the  North,  as  well  as  forming  connec- 
tions with  the  Land  Grant  roads  of  Minnesota,  which  will 
eventually  carry  to  Milwaukee,  to  be  shipped  to  the  East, 
a  large  portion  of  the  produce  of  that  productive  State. 
The  completion  of  these  roads  will  bring  to  this  city  a 
heavy  trade,  that  has  been  always  supposed  would  centre 
at  Chicago.  Already  Milwaukee  outstrips  her  in  the  grain 
business  ;  the  receipts  and  exports  at  this  place,  the  pre- 
sent season,  exceed  those  of  Chicago,  and  there  is  no  rea- 
son to  show  why  they  may  not  for  the  future. 

The  merchants  of  this  city  procure  transportation  at  a 
less  tariff  of  freight  than  any  port  on  the  lake,  by  the  lines 
of  propellers  now  running  between  this  and  the  lower  lake 
ports,  so  that  they  are  able  to  sell  to  the  more  Western 
houses  at  rates  of  advance,  on  New  York,  Boston,  and 
Philadelphia  prices,  little  more  than  cost,  insurance,  and 
transportation.  At  least  150  merchants  are  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  business  of  this  city,  besides  a  large  number  who 
do  a  heavy  retail  trade  with  the  country  lying  on  the  rail- 
road lines.  The  amount  of  the  wholesale  trade,  for  the 
year  1856,  is  estimated  at  $16,942,000. 


90  MILWAUKEE. 

Among  the  houses  included  in  this  estimate  are  eighteen 
whose  sales  are  over  $200,000  each  ;  eight  that  sell  over 
$300,000  each;  three  that  sell  over  $400,000;  and  two 
that  sell  over  $500,000  each. 

MONETARY. 

No  city  in  the  Union  offers  better,  safer,  or  more  remu- 
nerative employment  for  capital,  than  Milwaukee.  The 
banking-system  of  Wisconsin  is  probably  the  safest  in  the 
United  States.  Under  such  an  organization  it  is  scarcely 
possible  that  bill-holders  can  suffer  loss.1 

There  is  no  law  in  Wisconsin  against  high  rates  of 
interest.  The  legal  rate  for  banks  being  10  per  cent.,  and 
12  per  cent,  for  other  purposes.  The  penalty  for  higher 
than  these  rates  being  simply  a  forfeiture  of  the  interest 
charged,  and  only  recoverable  by  a  tender  of  the  principal 

!"  Every  bank  must  transfer,  in  trust,  to  the  State  Treasurer, 
United  States  stocks,  or  any  State  stocks  on  which  full  interests  at 
not  less  than  six  per  cent,  is  annually  paid,  and  estimated  at  their 
average  value  for  the  previous  six  months  in  New  York  City,  equal 
to  the  amount  of  bills  intended  to  be  put  in  circulation ;  but  the 
Comptroller  is  not  bound  to  receive  them  unless  he  considers  them 
safe. 

"  The  law  further  provides  that  the  bonds  of  any  Railroad  company 
in  this  State,  which  have  forty  miles  or  more  in  operation,  bearing 
a  rate  of  seven  per  cent,  per  annum,  interest  payable  semi-annually, 
and  secured  by  a  deed  of  trust  upon  such  road,  may  be  received  in 
lieu  of  public  stocks  ;  but,  in  such  case,  bills  shall  be  issued  for  not 
more  than  one-half  the  amount  of  such  bonds. 

"And,  as  an  additional  security  to  bill-holders,  it  is  provided  that, 
before  circulating  any  notes,  bonds  shall  be  given  by  the  directors 
and  stockholders  of  the  bank,  secured  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Comptroller,  to  the  amount  of  one-fourth  the  bills  to  be  issued. 

"  Each  bill  must  have  on  its  face  the  words,  '  Secured  by  pledge 
of  Public  stocks,'  (or  of  Railroad  bonds,)  and  be  countersigned  by 
the  Bank  Comptroller." — Abstract  of  the  Banking  Law  of  the  Stale. 


BANKING  —  WHEAT    TRADE. 


91 


in  gold.  Large  amounts  of  capital  are  flowing  here  yearly 
for  investment,  drawn  from  other  States,  in  which  the  legal 
rates  of  interest  are  from  six  to  eight  per  cent. 

The  Banks  average  10  per  cent,  dividends;  the  Insurance 
Companies,  10  to  15  ;  and  the  Railroads,  8  to  10  per  cent. 
Several  millions  of  dolllars  could  be  invested  at  these  rates 
in  the  city. 

Table.,  showing  the  Principal  Items  in  the  Reports  of  the  Banks  of  the 
City  of  Milwaukee,  as  made  to  the  Comptroller,  for  January,  1857. 


Name  of  Banks. 

Lrars  and 
Discounts. 

S'ockde. 
posited. 

Specie. 

Capital. 

Circula- 
tion. 

Deposits. 

Sate  Bank  of  Wisconsin,   .     . 
Farmer' and  Millers'  Bank, 
Ba  k  nf  Milwaukee,    .     .     . 
Wiicoii.M.  &  F.  L.  Co.  Bank, 
People's  lank, 

Second  Ward  Bank,       ... 

$774,881  96 
572,810  90 
374,S(i7  50 
361.695  6t 
73.278  19 
>*<,fc22  77 
60.003  61 

$2,305  663  59 

#69.000 
45,000 
50  00H 
50,000 
23,O"0 
30,000 
25,000 

$292,000 

$50,823  19 
22,4.14  65 
11.910  13 
66,940  02 
8.111  60 
5,049  09 
11,103  94 

$  176,372  <2 

$4f0,00i 
2-0,000 
200.000 
100,00 
2S.000 
50.0CO 
25  000 

$1,050,000 

$59,721 
43  409 
40  317 
49.327 
22  9T7 
23,--2 
21,623 

$j  6  366 

$485,867  75 
371.774  S5 
10J,3.i3  37 
320.903  02 
7y»l2  54 
97,776  51 
72,495  62 

$1,527  693  86 

Besides  the  business  done  by  the  eight  banks  of  issue, 
there  is  a  large  amount  of  transactions  through  private 
bankers  and  brokers.  During  the  past  year,  there  was 
added  to  the  banking  capital  of  the  city  $475,000,  and  it 
is  contemplated  to  increase  the  capital  of  several  banks 
during  the  current  year  of  1851.  From  careful  estimates, 
the  amount  of  money  used  by  the  entire  mercantile  and 
manufacturing  business  for  185G,  exceeded  $30,000,000. 


WHEAT   TRADE. 

Milwaukee  is  one  of  the  largest  grain-markets  in  the 
world.  Probably  nine-tenths  of  the  surplus  wheat  (the 
staple)  of  the  State,  is  shipped  from  her  port.  So  high 
has  Wisconsin  wheat  stood  at  the  Eastern  and  European 
markets,  that  its  merchants  have  been  able  to  sell  it  for 
eight  to  ten  cents  per  bushel  above  the  prices  for  Illinois 
and  more  southern  States.     This  fact  has  turned  the  atten- 


92  MILWAUKEE. 

tion  of  farmers  to  raising  it,  to  the  exclusion  of  other 
grains  ;  and,  while  the  wheat  crop,  since  1850,  has  increased 
at  the  ratio  of  fifty  per  cent,  per  annum,  the  crops  of  rye, 
oats,  barley,  and  corn,  have  remained  stationary,  or  advanced 
only  with  the  home  demand. 

The  crop  of  1856  was  the  largest  ever  harvested  in  the 
State,  and  was  secured  in  good  condition.  It  was  esti- 
mated at  12,000,000  bushels,  an  excess  of  4,000,000  over 
the  crop  of  1855.  We  add  a  table,  showing  the  rates  at 
which  Chicago  and  Milwaukee  spring-wheat  sold  in  New 
York  during  the  past  year.  With  such  an  advantage  for 
Milwaukee  wheat,  this  market  will  always  have  the  pre- 
ference over  Chicago. 

Prices  of  Wheat  at  New  York,  1856. 

Date.  Chicago.  Milwaukee. 

June  1 $1  40 $1  48 

"     7 125 140 

"14 122 1  37£  (choice). 

"  23 129 136 

July  2 130 1  374 

"     9 139 150 

"  16 130 140 

"  23 134 144 

Aug.  1 1  45 1  61  (choice). 

Sept.  1 120 130 

Oct.  1 135 144 

Nov.  1 138  (choice).  144 

Dec.  1 134      "  140 

RAILROAD    SYSTEM   OF   MILWAUKEE. 

a  iiis  city  is  connected  by  railroads  with  every  section  of 
the  Union.  The  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi,  the  Mil- 
waukee and  Watertown,  East  and  West,  connecting  the 
Lakes  and  the  Mississippi  River.  The  La  Crosse  and 
Milwaukee,  and  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac 


IMPORTS    AND    EXPORTS.    .  93 

railroads,  each  connecting  her  with  Lake  Superior.  The 
railroad  from  Green  Bay,  through  Milwaukee,  to  Chicago, 
commonly  called  the  Lake  Shore  road,  is  to  her  what  the 
Hudson  River  railway  is  to  Troy  and  Albany,  in  the  State 
of  New  York.  Other  railroads  are  projected,  either  new 
routes  or  old  ones,  to  intersect  the  country  in  various  direc- 
tions. Some  of  these,  doubtless,  will  be  carried  through, 
although  the  period  of  their  completion  is  more  distant 
than  of  those  above-named. 

IMPORTS   AND   EXPORTS. 

Milwaukee  is  the  market  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
products  of  Wisconsin.  Steamboats,  and  other  vessels 
navigating  the  lake,  touch  here  on  their  way  to  and  from 
Detroit,  and  points  on  Lake  Erie,  and  the  St.  Lawrence 
and  Wclland  Canals.  It  is  the  principal  port  of  entry  of 
the  district  of  the  same  name,  comprising  about  100  miles 
of  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan.  This  tonnage, 
belonging  to  the  district  of  Milwaukee,  December  31st, 
1856,  was  as  follows  : 

Total  tonnage  of  Steamers   1,869-32 

"  "  Propellers 705-54 

"  "  Barks  1,21522 

"  "  Brigs  2,095-17 

"  "  Schooners 14,989-06 

Total  amount  of  tonnage 21,497-50 

1854.  1855.  1856. 

Tonnage  12,000.  14,342.  21,497. 

Increase  in  two  years S,874. 

The  number  of  arrivals  and  departures  for  the  year  were 
4,720,  with  an  aggregate  tonnage  of  2,009,820;  with 
84,549  seamen  on  board. 


94  MILWAUKEE, 


Arrivals  of  Vessels  at  the  Port  of  Mihvaukee,  during  the  navigation 
season  of  1856. 

Steam  Vessels.  Sail  Vessels.  Total. 

In  the  month  of  April 61  60  121 

"            «          May  117  131  268 

«     "    June 119  247  366 

"     "    July  187  138  325 

"     "    Aug 194  184  378 

"     "          Sept 1S5  152  337 

"     "    Oct 149  126  275 

«     «    Nov 71  76  147 

«     <■'          Dec 8  18  26 

Total 1091  1152         2243 

Besides  the  additions  to  its  fleet  at  the  ship-yards,  the 
Chicago  and  Mihvaukee  line  of  steamers  is  now  owned  and 
registered  at  this  port. 

RECAPITULATION. 
Total  amount  of  Tonnage  of  the  District  of  Milwaukee,  Dec.  31st,  1856. 

Vessels.  Tons. 

Steamers... 3  1,869-32 

Propellers 2  705-54 

Barks 3  1,215-22 

Brigs  7  2,095-17 

Schooners 90  15,581-83 

Total 105  21,467-08 

It  would  be  an  unpardonable  omission,  should  we  over- 
look the  departure  from  this  port  of  the  Schooner  Dean 
Richmond,  with  a  cargo  of  wheat  for  Liverpool,  England. 
This  important  event  took  place  on  the  21st  of  July,  1856, 
amid  one  of  the  most  pleasant  demonstrations,  on  the  part 
of  the  mercantile  community,  ever  made  in  this  city.  The 
Richmond  was  loaded  at  the  warehouse  of  H.  &  J.  F.  Hill, 


IMPORTS    AND    EXPORTS.  95 

on  the  Milwaukee  River,  with  a  cargo  of  selected  club 
wheat.  She  was  owned  by  C.  Y.  Richmond  and  Captain 
Pierce,  and  the  cargo  sent  out  by  C.  J.  Kershaw,  of  Mon- 
treal. The  vessel  registered  377  tons,  and  took  14,000 
bushels.  She  arrived  at  Liverpool  on  the  29th  of  Sep- 
tember, cargo  and  vessel  in  excellent  condition.  Thus 
was  commenced,  what  will  eventually  prove  to  be  of  vast 
importance  —  direct  trade  with  Europe,  via  the  St.  Law- 
rence and  the  Great  Lakes. 

During  the  past  year,  the  American  and  Western  Trans- 
portation Companies  have  run  daily  lines  of  propellers 
between  this  port  and  Buffalo,  on  Lake  Erie,  and  are  ready 
to  supply  the  wants  of  the  freight  traffic  with  every  carrying 
facility  necessary  for  the  expeditious  transaction  of  business. 
In  1856  the  trade  of  this  city  with  Oswego,  on  Lake 
Ontario,  had  more  than  doubled.  Of  three  million  bushels 
of  wheat  shipped  from  this  port,  one-third  has  found  its 
way  to  Oswego.  The  trade  with  Canada  has  also  largely 
increased  ;  a  good  share  of  the  exports  of  flour  and  pork 
having  gone  to  Canadian  markets. 

The  revenue  collected  at  the  Port  of  Milwaukee  during  the  year  1856, 
up  to  December  ISth,  amounts  to  $205,992  40. 

Value  of  nidse.  entered  during  same  period,  $895,848  00 

Duty $26S,126  30 

Value  of  goods  remaining  in  warehouse  on 

December  31st,  1855 161,064  00 

Duty 49,931  10 


Total $1,056,912  00     $318,057  40 

Deduct  value  withdrawn  and  duty  paid...        636,806  00       205,992  40 


Value  of  merchandise  remaining  in  ware- 
house, December  18th,  1856  ....". $420,106  00     $112,065  00 


96  MILWAUKEE 

COMPAHATIVE    DUTIES. 
Amount  of  Duties  collected  during  the  years  1855  and  1856. 

1S65.  1856. 

January $11,259  90  $11,220  30 

February 11,702  60  22,845  30 

March  5,765  50  585  70 

April 918  00  6,432  50 

May 20,6S7  40  5,467  80 

June 13,025  30  6,534  00 

July 19,92190  19,507  60 

August 9,138  70  19,056  80 

September 12,645  30  16,70190 

October 16,203  20  21,66140 

November 27,093  00  38,588  70 

December 25,467  60  37,390  60 

Total $172,130  00  $205,992  60 

Comparative  Value  of  Imports  at  the  Port  of  Milwaukee. 

Total,  1854  $11,124,000 

"      1855 18,649,832 

"      1856 27,974,748 

Comparative  Value  of  Exports. 

Total,  1851  $2,607,824 

"      1S54 7,709,571 

"   1855  17,329,531 

"  1856 20,274,300 

The  imports  and  exports  for  the  year  1856,  for  the  Port 
of  Milwaukee,  do  not  represent,  by  many  millions  of  dollars, 
the  entire  traffic  of  the  city.  It  is  estimated  that  the  entire 
imports  and  exports,  by  lake  and  railroad,  amount  to 
$^5,000,000,  or  about  one-fifth  of  the  entire  commerce  of 
Lake  Michigan.  The  completion  of  the  railroads  from 
Milwaukee  to  the  Mississippi  and  Lake  Superior,  will  at 
once  double  or  treble  the  present  extent  of  its  commerce. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The  manufactures  of  Milwaukee  are  yet  in  their  infancy, 
but  are  annually  increasing  in  variety  and  extent,  and  rising 


MANUFACTURES.  9T 

in  importance.  There  are  in  this  city  some  eighteen  shops, 
employing  from  twelve  to  one  hundred  men  each,  and 
turning  out  an  aggregate  amount  of  $800,000  of  work  per 
annum.  Fully  one-half  the  present  capital  was  added  the 
past  year,  and  no  less  than  six  of  these  establishments  were 
new  during  the  year  1856.  Extensions  and  enlargements 
are  contemplated  for  the  present  year  to  the  amount  of 
$300,000,  besides  several  new  establishments. 

ALE,    BEER,    ETC. 

During  the  year  1856,  there  were  twenty-six  breweries 
in  operation  in  the  city,  manufacturing  75,000  barrels  of 
ale  and  beer,  the  larger  portion  of  which  was  lager  beer. 
Of  this  amount,  probably  30,000  barrels  were  sent  from 
this  city.  The  entire  capital  employed  was  about  $1,000,000. 
Enlargements  and  extensions  were  made  during  the  year 
to  the  amount  of  $250,000.  The  number  of  men  employed 
is  about  500,  at  average  wages  of  $8  per  week. 

BRICK-MAKING. 

Notwithstanding  the  demand  from  abroad  for  the  beau- 
tiful Milwaukee  brick  has  been  unabated,  still  the  con- 
sumption at  home  has  been  so  great  that  but  few  have 
been  exported.  While,  in  1856  there  were  manufactured 
35,000,000,  only  1,000,000  were  exported.  There  are 
eight  brick-yards  in  operation,  employing  about  300  men. 

FLOURING-MILLS. 

Large  outlays,  during  the  past  year,  have  been  made 
upon  the  flouring-mills  of  the  city,  causing  them  to  remain 
idle  a  considerable  portion  of  the  time.  The  total  amount 
of  flour  manufactured  by  the  five  mills,  beside  custom  work, 
was  116,000  barrels. 
9 


98  MILWAUKEE. 

PORK   AND   BEEF   PACKING. 

During  the  past  year,  the  first  Cattle  Market  ever  opened 
in  the  city,  was  started  by  Messrs.  Layton  &  Plankinton. 
It  was  commenced  in  August,  and  they  sold,  to  the  close 
of  the  year,  about  $60,000. 

The  beef  packing  amounted  to  about  the  same  as  1855, 
or  about  10,000  bbls.  About  100  men  are  employed  in 
this  business,  at  $1.50  per  day,  for  the  season. 

BOOTS   AND    SHOES. 

There  has  been  a  large  increase  in  the  manufacture  of 
boots  and  shoes.  The  amount  for  the  past  year  was 
$350,000,  against  $185,000  for  the  year  before.  There 
are  500  men  employed,  at  average  wages  of  $7  per  week. 

CLOTHING. 

The  manufacture  of  clothing,  for  the  year  1856,  nearly 
doubled  that  of  1855,  and  now  amounts  to  $600,000.  The 
number  of  hands  employed  by  the  wholesale  houses  is  over 
450,  at  average  wages  of  $7.50  per  week. 

SHIP   BUILDING. 

During  the  first  months  of  1856,  the  amount  of  tonnage 
launched  was  1600  —  one  propeller  and  five  schooners. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

There  are  many  branches  of  industry  that  could  be 
spoken  of  with  interest,  but  the  limits  of  this  work  forbid. 
It  is  satisfactory  to  notice  that  the  manufacturers  of  Mil- 
waukee are  so  prosperous  and  successful.  The  advance- 
ment has  been  beyond  all  expectation,  and  bids  fair  to  out- 
rival the  past  history  of  this  industrious  city. 


EARLY    DAYS.  99 

The  total  amount  of  the  various  manufactures  in  Milwaukee, 

for  the  year  1856,  were $8,057,000 

The  total  for  the  year  1855,  were 5,590,000 

"  "         "  1854,     "     4,638,000 

The  merchants  of  Milwaukee  are  energetic  and  enter- 
prising ;  its  Board  of  Trade  active,  efficient,  and  attentive 
to  its  commercial  and  industrial  interests.  A  report  of  the 
business  of  the  city  is  annually  published  by  its  Secretary, 
and  widely  circulated.  Much  of  its  prosperity  may  be 
traced  to  the  efforts  of  this  Board,  in  addition  to  its  ably- 
conducted  newspaper  press. 

From  these  returns  it  will  be  seen  what  a  splendid  future 
awaits  Milwaukee.  In  a  few  years  its  population  will  have 
reached  one  hundred  thousand.  Every  new  development 
of  trade,  the  railroads  opened  throughout  the  vast  extent 
of  country  tributary  to  it,  the  commerce  of  the  lakes  —  all 
add  to  its  wealth,  population,  and  importance.  Tt  is  en- 
tering upon  a  career  that  will  certainly  place  it  on  a  level 
with  the  large  commercial  cities  of  the  Eastern  States. 
Should  it  not  be  the  ambition  of  every  citizen  to  make  it 
worthy  of  its  high  destiny  ? 

EARLY    DAYS. 

Before  closing  this  sketch  of  Milwaukee,  it  may  be  well 
to  give  a  short  account  of  her  "early  days,"  with  a  word 
or  two  in  regard  to  Solomon  Juneau,  one  of  the  "first 
settlers." 

Thirty-nine  years  ago  this  enterprising  pioneer  immi- 
grated from  Canada,  and  built  for  himself  a  log  cabin  on 
the  future  site  of  this  great  city.  For  seventeen  long  years 
the  "  children  of  the  forest"  were  his  only  neighbors.  He 
kept  a  few  goods  suitable  for  their  wants,  and  was  not  only 
the  merchant  of  the  place,  but  the  only  "white  settler." 

It  is  very  rare  that,  in  these  hurrying  days,  men  live  to 


100  MILWAUKEE. 

see  their  anticipations  realized — whether  they  strive  to  win 
a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  or  to  found  a  city.  But  Solo- 
mon Juneau,  the  first  white  settler  of  Milwaukee,  is  a  rare 
and  an  honored  exception.  He  "still  lives" — and  as  he 
treads  alone  the  banks  of  that  beautiful  river,  upon  which 
he  made  his  lodgment  in  the  wilderness,  with  what  feelings 
must  he  revert  to  the  scenes  of  his  early  life  ?  The  Indians 
with  whom  he  traded  —  where  are  they  ?  Alas  !  the  story 
of  the  "red  men"  has  become  an  "  oft -told  tale  ; "  it  ex- 
cites little  interest  at  the  present  day.  They  are  gone  ! 
The  hardy  pioneers  who  gradually  clustered  around  the  site 
of  his  cabin,  and  whom  a  life  of  mutual  hardships  and  pri- 
vations converted  into  friends  and  neighbors,  have  also 
disappeared.  They,  too,  have  passed  to  "that  undis- 
covered country,  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller  returns." 
No  mark  remains  of  the  cabin  of  the  "first  settler."  Iu 
its  stead  has  sprung  up,  as  if  by  some  magic  influence,  a 
great  and  populous  city.  His  early  home  is  obliterated  by 
the  homes  of  thousands,  and  the  clearing,  in  which  his 
axe  only  was  heard,  now  resounds  with  the  busy  hum  of 
men,  toiling  together  to  realize  their  anticipations  of  for- 
tune and  happiness,  upon  the  spot  where,  less  than  forty 
years  ago,  he  felled  the  first  tree,  to  frame  the  home  of  the 
"  pioneer. " 

Truly  he  has  cause  for  wonder,  and  as  the  reminiscences 
of  the  past  crowd  upon  his  memory,  and  bring  the  lights 
of  other  days  around  him,  he  may  well  feel  that  he  "treads 
alone"  those  now  crowded*  scenes,  the  solitary  witness  of 
the  city's  birth.  He,  too,  approaches  the  termination  of  a 
varied  and  useful  life  ;  let  us  hope  that  the  end  of  the 
"  pioneer"  may  be  peaceful  and  happy.1 

l  At  the  first  charter  election  in  the  new  city,  Solomon  Juneau  was 
elected  Mayor,  which  was  a  well-merited  compliment  to  the  "old 
pioneer."     Subsequently  he  left  Milwaukee  and  settled  in  Dodge 


EARLY    DAYS.  101 

"  In  the  spring  of  1835/  a  Land  Office  being  established 
at  Green  Bay,  the  land  was  brought  into  market,  and  Mr. 
Juneau  purchased  a  small  tract,  consisting  of  about  160 
acres,  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  directly  north  of 
Wisconsin  street.  Previous  to  this  time,  G.  H.  Walker, 
Esq.,  had  come  and  made  a  claim  to  what  is  now  called 
Walker's  Point,  to  which  he  subsequently  obtained  a  title. 
Byron  Kilbourn,  Esq.,  about  that  time  purchased  a  tract 
on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  which  has,  from  that  time, 
been  known  by  the  name  of  '  Kilbourntown. '  Daniel 
Wells,  Jr.,  W.  W.  Gilmore,  Geo.  D.  Douscman,  E.  W. 
Edginton,  T.  C.  Douseman,  Geo.  0.  Tiffany,  D.  H.  Rich- 
ards, Wm.  Brown,  Jr.,  Milo  Jones,  Enoch  Darling,  and 
others,  immigrated  about  the  same  time,  and  made  largo 
purchases  of  lands.  In  the  course  of  the  summer  a  num- 
ber of  good  buildings  were  erected,  and  a  great  many 
Eastern  speculators  came  and  bought  lands  at  high  prices. 
Mr.  Juneau,  about  this  time,  sold  an  undivided  interest  in 
his  lands  to  Morgan  T.  Martin.  He  built  a  fine  dwelling- 
house,  on  the  lot  where  Mitchel's  Banking  House  now 
stands ;  also  a  large  store  and  warehouse,  on  what  is  now- 
known  as  'Ludington's  Corner.'  In  1836  he  was  doing 
a  large  business,  both  in  selling  goods  and  lots.  During 
that  season,  $300,000  worth  of  goods  had  been  trans- 
ported there  to  sell.  Ground-rents  were  nearly  as  high 
as  at  present.  A  merchant  with  a  stock  of  goods  would 
arrive  one  day,  and  by  the  next  day  noon  he  would  have  a 
store  completed  to  open.  Business  was  done  on  the  Cali- 
fornia principle.  Stores  were  usually  built  of  rough  boards, 
retaining  the  'grass  floor,'  and,  in  several  instances,  a 
blanket  was  hung  up  for  a  partition,  and  one  half  of  the 

county,  'where  he  still  resides.     He  has  now  a  large  family,  and  we 
learn  that  by  hard  labor  he  obtains  a  comfortable  living. 
1  First  Annual  Report  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society. 
9* 


102  MILWAUKEE. 

tenement  rented  to  another  for  a  dollar  a  day.  The  town 
was  flooded  with  speculators,  and  all  made  money  until  the 
present  residents  left,  and  navigation  closed,  when  a  sud- 
den change  came  'o'er  the  spirit  of  their  dreams.'  The 
town  was  left  with  a  large  stock  of  goods,  and  but  few 
inhabitants.  Merchants  and  other  business  men  enjoyed 
the  winter  in  the  best  possible  manner  During  the  fall 
quite  a  large  number  of  settlers  had  arrived,  of  the  right 
stamp,  whom  space  will  not  allow  us  to  mention.  All  had 
been  engaged  in  the  land  business,  and  had  plenty  of  money 
left  to  winter  on. 

"  The  spring  of  lSSt  disappointed  all  our  anticipations. 
A  general  stagnation  in  business  prevailed  in  all  directions. 
Our  currency  was  mostly  of  the  Michigan  '  wild  cat'  stamp 
(no  longer  a  legal  tender).  There  was  no  sale  of  real 
estate.  "  The  second  payments  were  becoming  due  on  pur- 
chases of  real  estate,  and  all  who  supposed  themselves  rich 
in  lands  were  not  only  destitute  of  money,  but  the  means 
of  raising  it.  Some,  who  were  able  to  hold  on,  kept  their 
property  until  they  could  get  a  handsome  advance,  while 
the  majority  were  compelled  to  sell  for  what  they  could  get, 
and  bankruptcy  was  the  inevitable  result. 

"At  this  time  there  were  but  a  few  settlements  in  the 
interior  ;  but  the  hard  times,  which  continued  through  the 
years  1837-8,  induced  many  to  leave  Milwaukee  and  locate 
a  '  claim. '  The  lands  between  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock 
rivers  were  then  surveyed,  but  were  not  brought  into  mar- 
ket until  the  fall  of  1839.  During  this  time  they  had  be- 
come thickly  settled,  and  many  of  them  quite  valuable. 
The  hard  times  at  the  East  had  led  numbers  of  persons  to 
seek  a  home  in  the  West;  and  in  the  fall  of  1839,  when 
those  lands  came  into  market,  many  of  them  had  been  so 
improved  that  they  were  worth  from  $10  to  $100  an  acre, 
while  the  occupants  had  not  the  first  'red  cent'  to  buy 


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MADISON.  103 

them.  Consequently,  a  large  proportion  of  the  settlers 
were  compelled  to  either  sell  their  improvements  for  what 
they  could  get,  or  pay  from  25  to  50  per  cent,  for  money 
to  enter  their  lands. 

"About  this  time  Alex.  Mitchell,  Harvey  Burchard,  the 
Messrs.  Ludington,  E.  Eldred,  and  other  capitalists,  came 
to  Milwaukee,  and  purchased  lots  at  $100  each,  that  had 
previously  been  sold  from  $1000  to  $1500,  and  are  now 
selling  from  $5000  to  $15,000  each.  From  that  day  to 
this,  'the  rise  and  progress'  of  Milwaukee  has  been  steady 
and  onward.  The  price  of  land  has  continued  to  advance 
with  the  increase  of  business,  and  nearly  all  who  com- 
menced business  here  at  that  time,  and  continued  to  the 
uresent,  have  become  wealthy  and  independent." 

MADISON,  THE  CAPITAL  OF  WISCONSIN. 

The  City  of  Madison,  the  capital  of  Wisconsin,  and  seat 
of  justice  of  Dane,  the  largest  and  most  productive  county 
in  the  State,  is  situated  on  a  rising  ground,  between  two 
lovely  lakes,  and  is  the  most  magnificent  site  of  any  inland 
town  in  the  United  States.  On  the  northwest  is  Lake 
Mendota,  nine  miles  long  and  six  wide  ;  on  the  east  Lake 
Monona,  five  miles  long  and  three  wide.  The  city  is  cele- 
brated for  the  beauty,  health,  and  pleasantness  of  its  loca- 
tion ;  commanding,  as  it  does,  a  view  of  nearly  every  cha- 
racteristic of  country  peculiar  to  the  West  —  the  prairie, 
oak  opening,  mound,  lake,  and  woodland.  The  surface 
of  the  ground  is  somewhat  uneven,  but  iu  no  place  too 
abrupt  for  building  purposes.  The  space  between  these 
lakes  is  a  mile  in  width,  rising  gently  as  it  leaves  their 
banks  to  an  altitude  of  about  seventy  feet,  and  is  then 
alternately  depressed  and  elevated,  making  the  site  of  the 
city  a  series  of  gently  undulating  swells.     On  the  most 


104  MADISON. 

elevated  ground  is  the  State  House,  in  the  centre  of  one 
of  Nature's  Parks  of  fifteen  acres,  overlooking  the  "  Four 
Lakes"  and  the  surrounding  city.  From  this  the  streets 
diverge  in  every  direction,  with  a  gradual  descent  on  all 
sides. 

To  the  west,  about  a  mile  distant,  is  the  State  Univer- 
sity, in  the  midst  of  a  park  of  40  acres,  crowning  a  beau- 
tiful eminence.  On  the  south  side  of  Lake  Monona  is  a 
spacious  Water-Cure  establishment,  surrounded  by  an  ex- 
tensive grove,  and  presenting  a  very  striking  appearance 
on  approaching  the  city.  Around  Madison,  in  every  di- 
rection, is  a  well-cultivated,  undulating  country,  which  is 
fast  being  occupied  by  pleasant  homes. 

Daniel  S.  Curtiss,  in  his  graphic  work  entitled  Western 
Portraiture,  has  given  us  his  impressions  of  Madison,  as 
follows  : 

"  At  §ome  time  in  our  travels  or  observations,  all  of  us  have  met 
with  situations  that  were  at  once  indelibly  impressed  upon  the  fancy 
as  the  paragon  of  all  out-door  loveliness  and  beauty — the  place  with 
■which  all  others  were  contrasted,  and  to  which  they  must  bear  some 
respectable  degree  of  resemblance  to  be  esteemed  delightful  loca- 
tions. With  many  persons,  Madison  is  that  paragon  of  landscape 
scenery.  As  the  brilliant  diamond,  chased  around  with  changing 
borders,  which  sparkles  on  the  swelling  vestment  of  some  queenly 
woman,  so  this  picturesque  city,  with  its  varied  scenery,  sits  the 
coronal  gem  on  the  broad  and  rolling  bosom  of  this  rich  and  bloom- 
ing State." 

The  Chicago  Journal  thus  candidly  and  truthfully  speaks 
of  the  "  Four  Lake  Country  : 

••For  a  long  time,  'as  beautiful  as  Madison'  has  been  a  household 
word  among  tourists  in  the  Northwest,  but  it  is  only  a  few  weeks 
since  we  looked,  for  the  first  time,  upon  this  piece  of  embossed 
work;  embossed,  as  if  Nature  feared  for  the  blindness  of  humanity, 
and  so  had  given  in  raised  characters  this  rare  passage  of  poetry. 


IMPRESSIONS    OF    STRANGERS.  105 

"  True,  the  season  in  winch  we  saw  it  was  unfavorable :  the  wind 
was  keen,  and  blew  from  some  open  window  of  the  north;  great 
patches  of  snow  alternated  with  patches  of  withered  grass;  great 
panes  of  ice  were  set  in  over  the  lakes;  the  groves  were  leafless  and 
birdless,  and  our  approach  toward  the  region  had  been  slow  and 
tedious. 

"  But  notwithstanding  all  these  discomforts,  the  capabilities  of 
Madison  could  not  be  altogether  disguised.  Nobody  could  help 
seeing  what  a  week  of  merry  May,  or  a  day  or  two  of  leafy  June 
could  do  for  its  swelling,  wood-crowned  hills,  its  wide  sweeps  of 
crystal -water,  its  beautiful  gardens,  and  its  broad  avenues.  Do  what 
one  will  with  a  floor  of  a  prairie ;  enamel  it  with  flowers,  dot  it  with 
shrubbery,  meander  it  with  paths,  and,  despite  all,  it  is  a  flat  still. 
You  cannot  conceal  its  poverty  of  resources;  brooks  will  riot  run  in 
it;  smile  it  may,  but  it  never  shows  a  dimple ;  rocks  there  are  none 
for  rustic  seats,  nor  mosses  to  cover  them  if  there  were;  there  are 
no  trees  of  God's  planting;  there  are  no  surprises  of  beauty,  for  all 
is  revealed  at  a  single  glance.  Not  so  Madison ;  it  is  rich  in  capa- 
bilities ;  almost  all  its  loveliness  is  furnished  ready  to  hand,  and  men 
have  nothing  to  do  but  live  in  it. 

"  Located  upon  a  grand  billow  of  an  isthmus,  little  less  than  a 
mile  in  width,  between  two  sheets  of  water,  Lake  Mendota  and  Lake 
Monona,  one  containing  some  fifteen  square  miles,  and  the  other 
about  fifty ;  with  its  park -like  surroundings,  undulating  away  in  the 
distance;  the  clusters  of  groves,  and  sweeps  of  lawn,  and  glimpses 
of  water;  on- the  west  Lake  Mendota,  with  its  promontory,  sacred 
to  the.  uses  of  friendship,  '  Pic-nic  Point;'  on  the  east  Monona; 
here  Waubesa,  there  Kegonoa,  the  Yahara,  and  yonder  Wingra  and 
Peshugo;  as  if,  at  some  time,  the  toilet-glass  of  the  evening  star 
had  been  shattered  by  the  red  'planet  Mars,'  or  some  such  turbulent 
fellow  in  the  planetary  court,  and  so  the  fragments  were  strewn  over 
the  landscape  just  there ;  with  all  these  features,  and  such  as  these, 
one  may  wander  far  through  many  a  summer's  day  ere  he  will  find 
a  place  like  Madison,  at  which  he  can  exclaim  as  did  the  Indian, 
enamored  with  the  Paradise  upon  which  he  had  noiselessly  stolen, 
'Alabama!'  —  here  we  rest." 

Bayard  Taylor  wrote  to  the  New  York  Weekly  Tribune, 
in  May,  1855,  an  account  of  his  adventures  in  the  West, 
in  which  he  made  the  folio  win  2:  mention  of  Madison  : 


106  MADISON. 

"For  natural  beauty  of  situation,  Madison  surpasses  any  Western 
town  I  have  seen.  It  is  built  on  a  narrow  isthmus,  between  the 
Third  and  Fourth  Lakes.  On  the  summit  of  a  mound  stands  the 
State  House,  in  the  centre  of  a  handsome  square  of  fourteen  acres, 
from  which  broad,  smooth  streets  diverge,  with  a  gradual  descent  on 
all  sides.  To  the  west,  and  about  a  mile  distant,  stands  the  Uni- 
versity, on  the  summit  of  a  hill,  or  mound,  of  about  equal  height. 
The  Madisonians  count  seven  hills,  but  I  could  not  make  them  all  out 
distinctly,  nor  do  I  think  it  necessary  to  the  beauty  of  the  place 
that  it  should  have  a  forced  resemblance  to  Rome.  In  one  respect 
it  is  equal — in  a  soft,  beautiful,  cream-colored  stone,  which  furnishes 
the  noblest  building  material.  Many  of  the  business  blocks  and 
private  houses  display  architectural  taste." 

SETTLEMENT   AND   GROWTH. 

"The  settlement  of  Madison,"1  observes  the  Hon.  A. 
A.  Bird,  in  his  recent  inaugural  address  as  Mayor,  "was 
commenced  in  April,  1837.  At  that  period,  almost  all  the 
entire  territory  between  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  was  a  wild  and  unsettled  country,  inhabited 
only  by  the  '  Sons  of  the  Forest. '  At  that  time,  and 
during  a  few  subsequent  years,  there  was  a  greater  number 
of  Indians  at  Madison,  and  in  what  was  then  termed  the 
'Four  Lake  Country,'  than  at  any  other  point  south  of 
the  Wisconsin  river.  They  seemed  to  cling  to  Madison, 
and  its  beautiful  lakes,  with  a  determination  not  to  leave 
until  called  to  the  '  Spirit  land.'  These  beautiful  lakes,  the 
fisheries,  and  game,  the  splendid  country  bordering  on  the 
lakes,  the  hills,  dales,  and  groves,  had  become  so  associ- 
ated with  their  very  being,  that  it  was  to  them  a  paradise 
on  earth. 

1  This  description  of  Madison  is  partly  taken  from  an  interesting 
pamphlet,  compiled  by  Lyman  C.  Draper,  Esq.,  Cor.  Secretary  of  the 
State  Historical  Society  of  Wisconsin,  and  printed  by  order  of  the 
Common  Council  of  the  city. 


EARLY    SETTLEMENT.  107 

"The  General  Government  required  the  removal  of  the 
Indians  to  the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi.  It  was 
found  necessary  to  procure  the  aid  of  the  army  in  removing 
them  to  their  homes,  and  it  was  a  difficult  matter  for  the 
soldiers  to  collect  them  together.  It  was  a  touching  scene 
to  witness  the  departure  of  those  who  had  spent  a  lifetime 
in  a  land  made  so  beautiful  by  nature,  from  which  they 
were  now  to  be  exiled.  The  different  emotions  exhibited 
by  these  '  Sons  of  the  Forest,'  were  worthy  the  pencil  of 
the  painter.  They  were  leaving  the  land  of  their  fathers, 
the  spot  dearest  to  them  on  earth  :  passing  westward,  upon 
reaching  University  Hill,  they  took  a  long  and  last  fare- 
well of  the  spot  endeared  to  them  by  early  associations. 
The  groves  and  lakes  on  which  they  had  sported  from 
childhood,  where  they  had  followed  the  flying  deer,  and 
impelled  the  light  canoe,  were  to  be  seen  no  more." 

The  site  of  Madison  attracted  the  attention  of  Hon. 
James  II.  Doty,  as  early  as  1832.  In  the  spring  of  1836, 
in  company  with  Hon.  S.  T.  Mason,  of  Detroit,  he  pur- 
chased the  tract  of  land  occupied  by  the  present  city. 
The  fir  at  cost  of  this  tract  was  about  $1500.  The  Territo- 
rial Legislature,  which  met  at  Belmont,  Lafayette  County, 
the  next  winter,  passed  an  act  locating  the  capital  here, 
and  John  Catlin  and  Moses  M.  Strong  staked  out  the 
centre  of  the  village  in  February  of  the  same  winter.  In 
the  meantime,  commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  General 
Government  to  construct  the  capitol  edifice.  Eben  Peck 
was  sent  on,  with  his  family,  to  erect  a  house,  where  the 
men,  employed  in  building  the  capitol,  might  board  and 
lodge,  and  was  the  first  settler  at  Madison.  He  arrived 
on  the  14th  of  April,  in  1837,  and  put  up  a  log  house, 
which  remains  standing  to  this  day  upon  its  original  site, 
on  block  107,  Butler  Street.  This  was,  for  about  a  year, 
the  only  public  house  in  Madison. 


108  MADISON. 

On  the  10th  of  June  succeeding,  A.  A.  Bird,  the  acting 
commissioner  for  constructing  the  capitol,  accompanied  by 
a  party  of  thirty-six  workmen,  arrived.  There  was  no 
road,  at  that  time,  from  Milwaukee  to  the  capital,  and  the 
party  were  compelled  to  make  one  for  their  teams  and 
wagons  as  they  came  along. 

Among  the  party  that  came  with  Bird,  was  Darwin 
Clark,  Charles  Bird,  David  Hyer,  and  John  Pierce ;  the 
latter  being  the  second  settler  with  a  family. 

On  the  same  day  that  this  party  reached  Madison,  Simeon 
Mills,  now  a  resident  of  Madison,  arrived  from  Chicago. 
John  Catlin  had  been  appointed  postmaster,  and  Mr.  M. 
acted  as  his  deputy.  He  erected  a  block  building,  fifteen 
feet  square,  and  in  this  opened  the  post-office,  and  the  first 
store  in  Madison.  The  building  is  yet  extant,  and  at 
present  stands  in  the  rear  of  a  blacksmith's  shop,  and  is 
used  as  a  coal-house. 

During  the  following  month,  John  Catlin  arrived,  and 
was  the  first  member  of  the  legal  profession  that  settled  in 
Madison.  Wm.  N.  Seymour  came  during  the  same  season, 
and  was  the  second  lawyer  in  the  place. 

The  workmen  upon  the  capitol  proceeded  at  once  to 
procure  stone  and  timber  for  that  edifice,  and,  on  the 
Fourth  of  July,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  due  cere- 
mony. 

The  first  frame  building  erected  was  a  small  office  for  the 
acting  commissioner ;  the  first  frame  dwelling  was  built  by 
A.  A.  Bird.  The  boards  used  in  these  buildings  were 
made  by  hand.  A  steam  saw-mill,  to  saw  lumber  for  the 
capitol,  was  built  the  same  season  on  the  shore  of  Lake 
Mendota,  just  below  the  the  termination  of  Pinkney  Street. 
In  the  month  of  September,  of  the  same  year,  John  Stone 
arrived,  being  the  third  settler  with  a  family.     A  Methodist 


SETTLEMENT  AND  GROWTH.       109 

clergyman,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stebbins,  then  Presiding  Elder 
of  the  Territory,  daring  the  same  mouth  preached  the  first 
sermon  delivered  in  Madison. 

Four  families,  with  their  inmates  and  guests,  constituted 
the  entire  population  of  Madison,  and,  with  two  or  three 
families  at  Blue  Mounds,  the  whole  population  of  Dane 
County  daring  the  winter  of  1837—8. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  growth  of  the  village  was 
slow.  Immediately  after  the  location  of  the  capital,  all  the 
lands  in  the  vicinity  were  entered  by  speculators,  and  lots 
and  land  were  held  at  a  prospective  value.  The  location 
being  at  a  central  point  between  the  Mississippi  and  Lake 
Michigan,  the  advancing  army  of  immigrants,  on  either 
hand,  found  a  wide,  fertile,  and  beautiful  extent  of  country, 
at  that  time  nearer  market,  and  therefore  holding  out  supe- 
rior attractions  to  the  agriculturist.  They  did  not,  conse- 
quent]}', care  to  indulge  the  speculators'  appetites  for  fancy 
prices.  This  condition  of  affairs  continued  until  1848.  In 
the  meantime,  the  fertile  valley  of  Rock  River  had  been 
filled  with  settlers,  and  immigration  began  to  turn  into 
Dane  County,  which  possesses  a  soil  as  bountiful,  and  a 
surface  of  country  as  attractive,  as  any  county  in  the  State, 
but  which,  before  it  was  tapped  by  railroads,  was  too  far 
from  market  to  render  agriculture  remunerative. 

The  beginning  of  the  real  prosperity  and  growth  of 
Madison  commenced  with  the  admission  of  the  State  into 
the  Union,  in  1848.  The  Constitutional  Convention  then 
permanently  located  the  capital  there  ;  until  that  time  there 
had  been  fears  of  its  removal,  and  capitalists  had  hesitated 
to  invest  their  money  in  the  vicinity.  Since  that  period, 
its  progress  in  wealth  and  population  has  been  rapid  and 
constant. 

A  period   of  less  than   twenty-one   vears  has   elapsed 
10 


110  MADISON. 

since  Eben  Peck,  the  first  settler  of  Madison,  arrived  there 
with  his  family.  The  only  other  settlers,  within  the  present 
limits  of  Dane  County,  were  Ebenezer  Brigham  and  Abel 
Rasdel.  At  the  close  of  the  next  nine  years,  we  find 
Madison  with  a  population  of  283,  and  Dane  County 
8289  ;  and  the  following  nine  years  swelled  the  population 
of  Madison  to  nearly  ^000,  in  February,  1855,  and  to 
about  12,000  at  the  present  date.  Such  are  the  results 
produced  in  twenty  years,  some  of  which  were  periods 
utterly  unfavorable  to  progress  and  settlement.  Until  the 
past  three  years  it  had  no  railroad  facilities  ;  produce,  from 
its  long  distance  from  market,  would  scarcely  recompense 
the  toiling  farmer  for  his  labor  in  its  production  ;  the  whole 
population,  with  scarcely  an  exception,  were  struggling  in 
poverty  against  these  discouraging  and  depressing  influ- 
ences—  and  yet,  despite  them  all,  Madison  and  Dane 
County  have  made  astonishing  advances  in  all  the  elements 
of  wealth  and  greatness.  These  days  and  years  of  poverty, 
hardship,  and  depression,  have  forever  passed  away,  and 
our  political  metropolis  and  empire  county  may  now  safely 
calculate  on  continued  and  increasing  prosperity. 

Dane  County  has  an  area  of  about  1250  square  miles,  or 
nearly  800,000  acres  of  land.  Dating  back  from  1831, 
when  Madison  received  its  first  settler,  and  when  this 
county  had  but  two  families,  we  find  that  it  has  increased 
during  the  first  seven  years,  up  to  1844,  about  fifty  per 
cent,  annually,  and  from  1844  to  1850,  when  the  population 
was  16,500,  the  total  increase  for  that  period  was  over 
three  hundred  per  cent.  Since  1850,  the  population  of 
the  county  has  nearly. tripled,  and  may  be  safely  estimated 
at  48,000.  Let  us  make  some  moderate  estimates  of  the 
population  of  Dane  County  for  the  next  ten  years,  based 
upon  the  present  population  of  48,000 : 


CAPABILITIES  AND  DESTINY.       Ill 

In  1857,  add  one-fifth  increase 4S,000 

In  1858,  "  one-sixth         "  56,000 

In  1859,  "  one-seventh    "  64.000 

In  1860,  "  one-eighth      "  72,000 

In  1S61,  "  one-ninth        "  80,000 

In  1862,  "  one-tenth        "  88,000 

In  1863,  "  one-eleventh  "  96,000 

In  1864,  "  one-twelfth     "  104.000 

In  1865,  "  one-thirt'nth  "  112,000 

In  1S66,  "  one-fourt'nth  "  120,000 

The  great  Empire  State  of  Wisconsin  is  well  able  to 
sustain  a  far  greater  population  than  that  here  indicated. 
But  one-sixth  of  the  land  in  the  county  is  yet  settled,  and 
all  is  susceptible  of  culture  ;  and,  were  the  other  five-sixths 
settled  at  the  same  ratio  per  square  mile,  we  should  exhibit 
a  population  of  250,000  people. 

In  1755,  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  slightly  larger  than 
Dane  County,  having  an  area  of  1300  square  miles,  had  a 
population  of  35,000  —  about  the  same  as  this  county  pos- 
sessed in  1855  ;  showing  that  Rhode  Island  was  one  hun- 
dred and  nineteen  years  in  attaining  a  population  which 
Dane  County  reached  in  eighteen  years.  The  city  of 
Providence,  in  1800,  just  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  years 
after  its  first  settlement,  exhibited  a  population  of  7 GOO  — 
while  Madison  has  reached  that  number  in  eighteen  years. 
In  the  past  half  century,  Rhode  Island  has  slightly  more 
than  doubled  her  population,  while  Dane  County  has  nearly 
tripled  hers  in  the  last  seven  years  ;  and  Providence,  during 
the  same  period,  has,  upon  an  average,  doubled  its  numbers 
once  in  twenty  years,  while  Madison  has  doubled  its  popu- 
lation, upon  an  average,  once  in  every  two  and  a  half 
years.  These  are  facts  which  any  one,  curious  in  such  sta- 
tistical contrasts,  may  easily  put  to  the  test  by  a  proper 
reference  to  the  official  documents  in  our  public  libraries. 
Nor  is  this  a  solitary  instance  —  the  same  careful  contrasts 


112  MADISON. 

with  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Albany, 
or  almost  any  other  old  settled  place,  will  exhibit  the  growth 
of  Madison  and  Dane  County  in  quite  as  favorable  a  point 
of  view. 

The  question  may  very  naturally  be  asked  by  the  cautious 
inquirer,  what  is  there  to  justify  the  belief  that  Dane 
County,  with  its  surroundings,  is  able  to  sustain  a  city  of 
twenty  or  perhaps  fifty  thousand  people  ?  Let  us  again 
recur  to  the  experience  of  other  cities  and  counties.  If, 
then,  Rhode  Island  can  and  does  support  her  flourishing 
capital,  having  a  population  of  one-fourth  of  the  whole 
State,  Dane  County,  with  superior  advantages  in  her  favor, 
can  do  at  least  as  well.  By  the  census  of  1850,  there  were 
73,000  acres  of  land  returned  as  improved  in  Dane  County, 
which  we  may  presume  has  increased  by  this  time  to  about 
1-10,000  —  only  about  one-sixth  of  the  whole.  Let,  then, 
the  whole  be  settled,  and  only  as  sparsely  per  acre  as  that 
part  now  improved,  and  we  should  have  six  times  the 
present  population  of  45,000,  which  would  be  270,000. 
And  if  the  present  county  population  of  45,000  supports 
Madison,  with  12,000  inhabitants,  then  a  population  of 
270,000  would  give  to  Madison  a  ratio  of  65,000  people. 

These  figures  may  startle  some  —  for  there  are  always  a 
goodly  number  in  every  community,  who,  while  they  are 
amazed  at  the  progress  of  the  past,  can  never  make  it  a 
criterion  by  which  to  judge  the  future. 

Aside  from  the  capital,  there  are  thirty-four  townships 
in  Dane  County,  whose  present  wealth  may  be  stated  as 
follows  :  The  improved  farms,  uncultivated  lands,  and  per- 
sonal property  of  the  resident  farmers,  will  average  to-day 
at  least  $500,000  to  a  township,  making  a  total  of 
$17,000,000.  Add,  for  Madison,  real  estate  and  personal 
property,  at  least  $8,000,000.  This  would  make  the  total 
wealth  of  the  county  $25,000,000. 


RAILROADS.  113 

There  are  twenty-five  wagon-roads,  and  seventeen  dif- 
ferent mail  and  stage  routes,  diverging  in  every  direction 
from  Madison.  Over  seven  hundred  loaded  teams  have 
arrived  here  in  a  single  day,  bringing  from  ten  to  fifteen 
thousand  bushels  of  wheat  to  market,  with  large  quantities 
of  other  produce.  Nearly  100,000  bushels  of  wheat  alone 
were  marketed  here  in  a  single  year. 

It  is,  pre-eminently,  the  great  railroad  centre  of  Wis- 
consin, and  enjoys,  in  an  enviable  degree,  all  those  pecu- 
liarly favorable  advantages.  Many  of  the  Western  cities 
rely  wholly  upon  their  projected  railroads  for  growth  and 
prosperity.  But  the  roads  and  connections  of  Madison 
are  real  and  bona  fide,  connecting  it  with  every  section  of 
the  Union.  Four  great  lines  diverge  here  :  the  Milwaukee 
and  Mississippi ;  the  Milwaukee,  Watertown,  and  Madison  ; 
East  and  West,  connecting  the  lakes  with  the  Mississippi 
River;  and  the  La  Crosse  and  Land-Grant  Roads,  running 
from  Madison  to  Lake  St.  Croix  and  the  City  of  Superior, 
at  the  head  of  the  lake.  Arrangements  are  now  being 
made  for  the  extension  of  the  great  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road, from  Freeport,  Illinois,  to  this  city,  thus  giving  a 
direct  communication  with  Mobile  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

The  system  connects  with  the  Chicago,  Fond  du  Lac, 
and  Superior  Road,  on  the  east  and  north,  and  the  Beloit 
and  Madison  Road  on  the  south.  There  is  no  point  in  the 
State  so  readily  accessible  in  every  direction,  as  Madison, 
as  it  lies  on  the  shortest  route  from  New  York,  Philadel- 
phia, Boston,  Chicago,  or  Milwaukee,  to  the  Mississippi 
River. 

An  abundant  supply  of  building-material  is  found  here. 
The  most  beautiful  stone,  easily  quarried  and  cut,  abounds 
in  its  immediate  vicinity.  Bricks  may  be  made  to  an  un- 
limited extent,  and  timber  of  all  kinds  can  be  commanded 
whenever  needed  for  use. 
10* 


114  MADISON. 

It  is  estimated  that  about  $1,000,000  will  be  expended 
in  Madison,  and  its  vicinity,  this  year,  upon  public  build- 
ings, depots,  and  railroads.  The  most  prominent  buildings 
and  improvements,  to  be  immediately  commenced,  are  given 
in  the  following  table,  with  their  least  possible  cost : 

University  (main  edifice) $40,000 

Capitol  extension 100,000 

U.  S.  Court  Room  and  Post  Office 50,000 

City  Hall 25,000 

Four  School  Houses 21,000 

Congregational  Church 20,000 

Episcopal  Church 16,000 

Catholic  Church 10,000 

Insane  Asylum 100,000 

Railroad  Depots,  at  least  15,000  " 

Total $400,000 

From  careful  estimates  made,  it  was  found  that  the  value 
of  merchandise,  lumber,  produce,' wood,  <fcc,  marketed 
and  sold  during  1856,  was $4,702,000 

Add  value  and  labor 1,500,000 

"     Real  Estate  Sales 500,000 

Total $6,702,000 

The  value  of  manufactures  and  home  products,  for  1S56, 

was $1,265,000 

As  an  additional  evidence  of  the  large  business  of 
Madison,  it  may  be  mentioned,  that  eight  and  a  half  rail- 
lions  pounds  of  freight  were  received  at  the  Madison  Rail- 
road Depot,  during  1856,  and  that  the  total  receipts  in 
money,  for  the  same  period,  were  $277,872  44. 

All  kinds  of  manufactures,  not  already  here,  are  greatly 
needed  ;  indeed,  in  this  new  country,  where  every  interest 
is  rapidly  growing,  and  little  is  yet  matured,  every  indus- 
trial pursuit  is  open  to  development,  and  invites  enterprise 
and  skill  of  all  kinds. 


LIBRARIES  —  MISCELLANEOUS, 


115 


Dane  County  peat-beds  were  discovered  in  1856,  and  lie 
in  three  irregularly-shaped  beds  contiguous  to  each  other, 
about  six  miles  from  Madison.  It  is  estimated  that  they 
are  worth  not  less  than  $1,000,000  to  their  fortunate 
owners,  and  fully  three  times  that  amount  to  the  city,  as  an 
article  of  cheap  and  convenient  fuel,  and  a  first-class  gene- 
rator for  the  Gas  Works. 

Madison  Libraries. — Madison  must,  from  the  nature  of 
things,  always  be  the  literary  emporium  of  the  State.  The 
following  table  exhibits  the  present  number  of  volumes  in 
its  libraries,  including  only  two  private  collections,  which 
have  been  made  to  subserve  public  purposes,  and  all  are 
rapidly  increasing  : 


Vols. 

State  Library 6,000 

Executive  Library  600 

State  Superintendent's 500 

State  Historical  Society 3.500 

State  University  Library...  2,400 
Lyman  C.  Draper's  Collec- 
tion on  Western  History,  1,500 
Madison  Female  Seminary,  1,000 


Vols. 

Madison  Institute 700 

J.  W.  Hunt's  Statistical  Col- 
lection       300 

State  Agricultural  Society..     300 

High  School 300 

Sabbath-School  Libraries...  1,000 


Total 18,100 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

Among  the  literary  institutions  of  Madison  are  the  State 
University,  largely  endowed  with  an  income  of  $30,000  per 
annum  ;  a  fully  organized  Commercial  College  ;  two  Female 
Seminaries  and  Musical  Academies  ;  four  Public  Schools  ; 
the  State  Historical  Society,  with  its  large  and  rare  library, 
fine  picture  gallery  and  cabinet  of  curiosities,  already  far 
superior  to  any  west  of  the  Alleghanies  ;  Madison  Institute, 
with  its  library  and  able  professors;  State  Agricultural 
Society;  Dane  County  Agricultural  Society;  Madison 
Hydraulic  Company ;  Lake-Side  Water-Cure  Establish- 
ment ;  the  Gas-light  and  Coke  Company ;  and  the  Mutual 
Insurance  Company.    Besides  these,  there  are  five  organized 


116  DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS. 

banks,  viz.  :  Wisconsin,  Dane  County,  Bank  of  the  Capitol, 
Merchants',  and  State  Banks,  all  flourishing  institutions 
with  large  capitals.  The  City  Cemetery  occupies  a  fine 
situation  near  Lake  Mendota.  Dane  County  Bible  Society 
was  lately  organized.  There  are  eleven  different  religious 
denominations  in  Madison,  nearly  all  of  which  have  fine 
church  edifices.  The  Press  is  well  represented,  viz.  :  the 
Argus  and  Democrat,  and  Patriot  (Democratic),  and  the 
State  Journal  (Republican)  ;  published  both  daily  and 
weekly — the  Argus  and  Democrat  also  issues  a  tri-weekly. 
The  Norske  Americaner  (Democratic),  a  Norwegian  weekly ; 
the  Staats  Zeitung  (Democratic),  and  Madison  Zeitung 
(Republican),  are  German  weeklies  ;  the  Western  Fireside, 
a  valuable  literary  and  family  paper,  is  issued  weekly ;  the 
Wisconsin  Farmer,  a  monthly  magazine  of  thirty-six  pages, 
is  the  most  ably-conducted  of  its  kind  in  the  Northwest ; 
and  the  Students'  Miscellany  is  a  creditable  monthly  lite- 
rary magazine,  published  by  the  students  of  the  State 
University.  These  several  publications,  together  with  the 
State  printing,  book  publishing,  and  job  work,  consume 
nearly  10,000  reams  of  paper  annually,  and  give  employ- 
ment to  110  hands. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   TOWNS. 

Janesville,  one  of  the  most  flourishing  and  important 
towns  in  the  State,  the  county-seat  of  Rock  County,  is 
beautifully  located  on  both  sides  of  Rock  River,  forty-five 
miles  southeast  of  Madison.  It  contains  eight  churches, 
three  banks,  several  academies,  seminaries,  the  State  Insti- 
tution for  the  Blind,  manufactories  and  mills  of  various 
kinds,  and  five  newspapers.  The  Milwaukee  and  Missis- 
sippi Railroad  is  here  intersected  by  the  Fond  du  Lac  and 
Rock  River  Road.  There  are  other  railroads  in  course  of 
construction,  which,  when  completed,  will  largely  increase 


DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS.  lit 

its  extensive  trade.  In  1846,  the  population  was  estimated 
at  400  ;  in  1854,  at  6000  ;  and,  at  the  "present  time,  about 
10,000. 

Beloit,  a  few  miles  distant  in  Rock  County,  near  the 
south  line  of  the  State,  was  incorporated  in  1845.  It  is 
finely  situated  on  Rock  River,  and  is  amply  supplied  with 
water-power  sufficient  for  manufactories  and  mills  of  every 
description.  It  is  noted  for  its  fine  churches,  spacious 
streets,  and  for  being  the  seat  of  Beloit  College,  which  was 
founded  in  1846.     The  present  population  is  about  7000. 

Mineral  Point,  the  county-scat  of  Iowa  County,  forty- 
seven  miles  distant  from  Madison,  derives  its  importance 
from  the  rich  mineral  region  surrounding  it.  Large  quan- 
tities of  lead  and  copper  are  exported  by  way  of  Galena. 
It  is  a  place  of  active  business,  having  several  smelting- 
furnaces,  six  churches,  banks,  and  many  stores. 

Potosi  is  situated  on  Grant  River,  near  its  entrance  into 
the  Mississippi,  fifteen  miles  above  Dubuque.  It  is  the 
principal  depot  of  the  mineral  region  of  Wisconsin.  Large 
quantities  of  lead  are  annually  shipped  in  steamboats  from 
the  landing  at  the  mouth  of  Grant  River. 

Cassville,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  twenty-eight  miles 
above  Dubuque,  is  a  very  important  shipping  port  for  the 
lead  of  this  region.  In  1853,  over  990,000  pounds  were 
shipped  from  its  landing. 

Prairie  du  Chien,  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the  State, 
is  on  the  Mississippi  river,  four  miles  above  the  mouth  of 
the  Wisconsin.  It  is  the  county-seat  of  Crawford  county, 
and  the  terminus  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  Rail- 
road. It  contains  several  churches,  stores,  and  three  news- 
paper offices. 

La  Crosse,  the  county-seat  of  La  Crosse  county,  is 
beautifully  situated  on  the  Mississippi,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
river  of  the  same  name.     We  landed  here,  on  our  way  up 


118  DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS. 

the  Mississippi,  in  the  summer  of  1853,  and  can  bear  tes- 
timony to  its  astonishing  increase  and  prosperity.  At  that 
time  it  contained  some  forty  or  fifty  houses,  and  over  300 
inhabitants  ;  now  its  population  has  increased  to  about 
7000.  It  contains  five  churches,  ten  saw-mills,  three  shin- 
gle-mills, one  sash  and  blind  mill,  and  an  iron  foundry ; 
besides,  there  are  considerable  quantities  of  pine  lumber 
manufactured.  Its  merchants  transact  a  large  amount  of 
business  with  the  surrounding  country,  which  is  fast  being 
settled  with  an  industrious  agricultural  population.  The 
claims  of  education  have  not  been  neglected  ;  a  building 
was  lately  erected  for  school  purposes,  at  a  cost  of  $10,000. 
This  city  possesses  peculiar  advantages,  from  being  the 
terminus  of  the  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad,  which 
will  be  finished  by  1858.  In  addition  to  this,  the  Root 
River  Valley  and  Southern  Minnesota  Railroad  Company 
have  lately  received  a  munificent  grant  of  land  from  the 
General  Government,  to  construct  their  road  to  the  Big 
Sioux  river.  Thus  La  Crosse  will  be  the  terminus  of  two 
of  the  most  important  railroads  in  the  Northwest.  We 
have,  therefore,  every  reason  to  expect  that  its  future 
growth  will  far  exceed  that  of  the  past. 

Prescott,  the  county-seat  of  Pierce  county,  at  the  con- 
fluence of  the  St.  Croix  and  Mississippi  rivers,  is  a  rapidly 
increasing  town,  and  soon  to  be  connected  with  Milwaukee 
by  railroad. 

Hudson,  one  of  the  most  flourishing  towns  on  Lake  St. 
Croix,  at  the  mouth  of  Willow  river,  is  the  capital  of  the 
county.  The  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad 
passes  through  it,  connecting  it  with  that  great  Lake  and 
Milwaukee. 

Portage  City  is  situated  at  the  head  of  navigation  of 
the  Wisconsin  river,  and  on  the  ship  canal  connecting  it 
with  the  Fox.     It  is  a  depot  for  large  quantities  of  pine 


DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS.  119 

lumber.  There  is  now  uninterrupted  steamboat  navigation 
from  this  place  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Fond  du  Lac,  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Winnebago,  and 
capital  of  the  county  of  the  same  name,  is  one  of  the  most 
flourishing  of  the  interior  towns.  It  is  connected  by  rail- 
roads with  Milwaukee,  and  is  the  starting  point  of  the 
Eastern  Land  Grant  roads.  Plank  roads  are  constructed 
in  several  directions,  giving  it  communication  with  various 
parts  of  the  State.  It  has  five  newspapers,  several  bank- 
ing houses,  car  factories,  iron  foundries,  many  dry  goods 
and  other  stores,  and  contains  a  population  of  about  8000. 

Oshkosh  stands  on  a  site  where,  a  few  years  ago,  was  a 
dense  wilderness.  Situated  on  Lake  Winnebago,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Fox  and  Wolf  rivers,  commanding  a  steam- 
boat navigation  of  over  two  hundred  miles,  no  point  in  the 
interior  of  Wisconsin  possesses  greater  facilities  for  trade. 
In  1855  it  had  a  population  of  4000,  and  now  it  numbers 
nearly  10,000.  Nor  is  this  growth  remarkable,  when  we 
consider  its  resources,  and  the  demand  of  the  surrounding 
country.  The  railroads,  nearly  completed,  will  connect 
this  place  with  Lake  Michigan  on  the  east,  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi on  the  west.  The  Fox  River  Improvement,  already 
described,  enables  its  merchants  and  manufacturers  to  ship 
their  goods  through  to  the  Lower  Wisconsin  and  Missis- 
sippi. Oshkosh  is  lighted  with  gas,  and  contains  five  churches, 
several  academies,  land  offices,  four  newspapers,  seven 
hotels,  fourteen  grist  mills,  steam  grist  and  shingle  mills, 
twelve  dry  goods  and  seventy  other  stores,  besides  boiler 
factories,  and  other  like  establishments.  The  sales  of 
several  of  the  leading  mercantile  houses,  for  the  past  year, 
exceeded  $163,000.  The  amount  of  lumber  manufactured 
yearly,  is  over  25,000,000  feet. 

Kenosha,  the  most  southerly  lake  port  of  Wisconsin, 
formerly  known  as  Southport,  but,  by  the  good  taste  of  its 


120  DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS. 

citizens,  recently  changed  to  its  old  Indian  appellation,  has 
a  good  harbor,  and  fine  piers  extending  into  the  lake.  Its 
imports,  for  1851,  were  $1,968,084;  exports  for  the  same 
year,  $661,250;  arrivals  into  the  harbor,  730.  These 
reports  are  made  partly  upon  conjecture,  as  the  growth  of 
the  lake  towns  has  been  so  rapid,  that  the  ascertained 
population  of  one  year  may  be  scarcely  more  than  a  moiety 
of  the  succeeding.  The  city  contains  several  churches, 
public  buildings,  banks,  manufactories,  newspapers,  and  is 
rapidly  increasing  in  commerce  and  prosperity. 

Racine,  situated  on  Lake  Michigan,  at  the  mouth  of 
Root  river,  twenty-three  miles  southeast  of  Milwaukee,  is 
the  second  city  in  the  State  in  population  and  commerce, 
and  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  West.  Its  commer- 
cial advantages  are  great ;  the  entrance  of  Root  river  into 
the  lake  forms  a  commodious  harbor,  and  large  sums  have 
been  expended  for  its  improvement  at  different  times.  A 
large  amount  of  grain  seeks  this  port  for  an  outlet.  There 
are  nine  large  storehouses,  capable  of  containing  70,000 
bushels  each.  In  addition  to  these,  the  railroad  companies 
have  capacious  freight  depots,  for  storing  merchandise. 
The  favorable  location  of  this  city  has  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  manufacturers,  and  large  and  profitable  investments 
have  been  and  are  still  making.  The  Board  of  Trade 
have  prepared  a  statistical  report  of  its  manufactures  for 
1855,  the  total  amount  of  which  is  $1,104,605.  During 
the  past  year,  gas  works  have  been  erected,  and  over  three 
nrileu  of  pipe  laid,  at  a  cost  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  ;  also 
one  church,  three  school  buildings,  two  depots,  two  large 
machine  shops,  one  round-house  with  stalls  for  thirteen 
locomotives,  several  manufactories,  planing  and  other  mills, 
stores  and  warehouses  of  various  kinds,  several  fine  man- 
sions, and  nearly  two  hundred  smaller  dwellings.  In  1840 
it  had  a  population  of  only  337  ;  in  1850,  5117  ;  in  1853, 


DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS.  121 

7500  ;  and,  in  1857,  it  is  estimated  at  12,000.  The  Lake 
Shore  Railroad,  running  from  Chicago  to  Green  Bay, 
makes  a  connection  with  the  Racine  and  Mississippi  Road 
at  this  place,  opening  to  the  city  a  vast  extent  of  prairie 
country,  depending  upon  the  lake  ports  for  its  lumber,  of 
which  the  shipments,  for  the  first  six  months  of  the  year 
1856,  amounted  to  over  9,000,000  feet,  and  4,500,000 
shingles,  besides  fence  posts,  timber,  staves,  &c.  There 
are  regular  lines  of  steamboats  touching  at  this  port,  on 
their  way  to  Buffalo  and  points  on  Lake  Superior.  Three 
plank  roads  extend  from  this  city  into  the  interior ;  one, 
the  Wilmot  road,  is  twenty  miles  long,  and  runs  southwest, 
through  a  rich  and  fertile  country,  into  the  State  of  Illinois. 
In  1851,  its  total  imports  and  exports  were  $2,507,715; 
arrivals,  1462. 

Ozaukee  is  a  thriving  place  on  the  shore  of  the  lake, 
thirty-one  miles  north  of  Milwaukee.  Large  quantities  of 
produce  are  shipped  from  here  in  steamboats.  It  contains 
several  churches,  foundries,  manufactories,  breweries,  news- 
papers, and  many  stores.  The  population,  in  1853,  was 
2500  ;  now  it  has  increased  to  about  5000. 

Sheboygan  is  situated  on  Lake  Michigan,  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river  of  the  same  name.  It  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant and  flourishing  ports  in  the  State,  and  exports 
large  quantities  of  lumber  and  other  articles.  In  1851, 
the  value  of  its  imports  exceeded  $1,400,000.  The  Mil- 
waukee and  Green  Bay  Railroad  passes  through  the  city, 
and,  with  its  interior  roads,  and  the  Fond  du  Lac  Plank 
Road,  have  very  much  increased  its  prosperity.  It  already 
contains  churches  of  seven  different  denominations,  manu- 
factories of  various  kinds,  four  newspapers,  and  bids  fair 
to  be  one  of  the  largest  ports  on  the.  lake. 

Manitowoc  is  a  very  thriving  town  on  the  shore  of  Lake 
Michigan,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  of  its  own  name.  A 
11 


122  DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS. 

few  years  ago  it  was  almost  unknown  ;  but  of  late  its  com- 
merce has  increased  at  a  most  surprising  rate.  In  1851, 
its  exports  amounted  to  $77,120,  and  its  imports,  $106,721. 
It  will  be  shortly  connected  with  Milwaukee  aud  Green 
Bay  by  the  Lake  Shore  Railroad. 

Two  Rivers,  fifteen  miles  above  Manitowoc,  is  a  town 
of  considerable  importance.  The  country  adjacent  is  finely 
timbered,  and  furnishes  large  quantities  of  lumber  for  ex- 
port. Its  commerce  for  1851  was  estimated  at  about 
$300,000.  The  entrances,  for  the  same  year,  were  822 
steam  and  192  sail  vessels. 

Green  Bay,  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  in  the  North- 
west, is  beautifully  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  Fox  or 
Neenah  river,  exactly  at  the  head  of  a  bay  of  the  same 
name.  In  1855,  it  contained  a  population  of  1644;  and 
now  it  is  over  4000,  being  an  increase  of  2333  in  two 
years.  Such  has  been  the  immense  immigration  lately  to 
the  country  tributary  to  it,  that  it  has  given  new  life  to  the 
place.  For  many  years,  Green  Bay  has  been  a  great  mart 
for  fish  and  lumber,  and  is  now  rapidly  becoming  the 
largest  commercial  depot  for  the  internal  trade  of  Wis- 
consin. There  is,  at  present,  uninterrupted  steam  naviga- 
tion from  this  place  to  the  Mississippi,  via  the  Fox  River 
Improvement  (steamboats  have  been  through  the  entire 
length  of  this  work),  which  will  soon  be  one  of  the  greatest 
thoroughfares  in  the  West,  and  destined  to  make  a  great 
revolution  in  the  present  internal  trade  of  the  country.  Mr. 
Andrews'  reports  the  commerce  of  Green  Bay,  for  1851, 
to  exceed  $3,000,000.  At  present,  there  are  three  facto- 
ries, averaging  100,000  shingles  each  per  week  ;  six  saw- 
mills in  the  city  and  vicinity,  averaging,  weekly,  about 
240,000  feet ;  within  sixty  miles  there  are,  on  each  side  of 
the  bay,  twenty-four  saw-mills  (mostly  steam),  which  ave- 

1  llcport  on  Colonial  and  Lake  Trade. 


DESCRIPTION    OF    TOWNS.  123 

rage,  weekly,  about  300,000  feet.  The  greater  part  of 
this  lumber  is  sent  to  Chicago  and  Milwaukee  for  market. 
There  are  several  railroads  in  process  of  construction  to 
this  place  ;  one  of  them,  the  Lake  Shore  Road,  is  partly 
graded  to  Manitowoc,  thirty  miles  distant.  The  city  con- 
tains many  spacious  warehouses,  fine  churches,  and  elegant 
residences,  and  gives  promise  of  great  future  prosperity. 

There  are,  also,  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  large 
numbers  of  flourishing  towns  and  villages,  of  which  our 
limits  forbid  a  mention.  In  fact,  it  would  be  almost  an 
impossibility,  so  rapidly  are  these  new  places  springing  up. 
"  In  many  instances,  large  colonies  of  German,  Norwegian, 
and  other  European  emigrants,  have  purchased  tracts  of 
land,  and  built  up  their  villages  as  if  by  magic  ;  and  the 
immediate  neighbors  are  even  ignorant  of  their  presence, 
until  they  behold,  with  astonishment,  the  smoke  curling 
over  the  new  settlement." 


CHAPTER   VII. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   COUNTIES  —  CENSUS   OF   THE    STATE. 

Wisconsin  is  divided  into  fifty-one  counties,  of  which 
we  will  give  a  short  description  of  their  soil,  natural  ad- 
vantages, &c. 

Adams  lies  on  the  Wisconsin,  and  is  watered  by  the 
Lemonwier,  and  other  streams.  The  soil  is  admirably 
adapted  for  agricultural  purposes,  and  extremely  produc- 
tive. There  are  many  dense  forests  in  this  county,  from 
which  large  quantities  of  lumber  are  procured,  and  rafted 
down  the  Wisconsin.  Large  tracts  of  excellent  land  are 
yet  subject  to  private  entry  at  Government  price.  Ger- 
mantown  is  the  county-seat. 

Bad  Axe  takes  its  name  from  the  river  of  the  same  name, 
which  flows  through  it,  and  on  which  the  Winnebago  In- 
dians, under  Black  Hawk,  met  with  their  final  defeat.  This 
county,  lying  on  the  Mississippi  river,  possesses  good  water- 
power,  and  is  partly  prairie,  interspersed  with  fine  timber- 
land.     Viroqua  is  the  county-seat. 

Brown  County,  situated  at  the  head  of  Green  Bay,  is  a 
beautiful  rolling  country,  interspersed  with  groves  of  tim- 
ber ;  soil  rich  and  deep,  fine  for  grazing,  and  all  spring 
crops  ;  good  farming  lands  may  be  purchased  here  from  $2 
to  $5  per  acre.  De  Pere  is  the  county-seat.  Green  Bay, 
Navarino,  and  Bridgeport,  are  flourishing  places. 

Buffalo,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Chippewa,   contains  large  quantities  of  the  best  farming 

(124) 


DESCRIPTION    OF    COUNTIES.  125 

lands  subject  to  entry  or  pre-emption,  and  is  rapidly  being 
settled.  It  is  in  the  La  Crosse  Land  District,  and  entries 
can  be  made  only  at  that  place.  "Waumandee  City  is  the 
county-seat. 

Calumet  lies  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Winnebago  ;  is 
generally  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  hard  timber, 
consisting  of  oak,  maple,  &c,  and  small  quantities  of  pine. 
It  has  a  fertile  soil,  and  is  well  watered  ;  owing  to  its  being 
the  residence  of  the  remnants  of  the  Stockbridge  and  Bro- 
thertown  Indians,  it  has  made  but  little  progress.  It  has 
increased  very  rapidly,  however,  the  past  year. 

Chippewa. — This  county  is  91  miles  long  and  66  wide  ; 
it  lies  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  and  is  watered  by 
the  river  of  the  same  name,  and  its  tributaries.  The  land 
is  of  excellent  quality,  subject  to  pre-emption,  and  con- 
taining some  of  the  most  valuable  pineries  in  Wisconsin. 

Columbia  County  is  situated  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the 
most  thickly  settled  part  of  the  State.  The  soil  is  good, 
well  watered  by  the  Wisconsin  and  Fox  rivers,  but  defi- 
cient in  timber.  The  land  was  all  entered  almost  as  soon 
as  it  was  in  market.  The  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee,  and 
the  Milwaukee  and  Wat.ertown  Railroads,  pass  through 
this  county.  Population,  in  1850,  was  9,565;  in  1856, 
29,000;  an  increase,  in  six  years,  of  19,435. 

Crawford  formerly  was  of  great  extent,  including 
nearly  the  whole 'space  northerly  from  the  Wisconsin  to  the 
Michigan  State  line.  A  few  years  ago  it  was  reduced  to 
a  small  territory,  containing  about  600  square  miles.  It 
lies  on  the  Mississippi  and  Wisconsin  rivers,  and  has  a 
variety  of  soil  and  diversified  scenery.  Quantities  of  lead, 
and  some  copper,  have  been  found.  There  is  also  an 
abundance  of  valuable  timber,  especially  white  pine,  on  the 
Wisconsin.  Much  good  Government  land  is  yet  to  be 
found. 

11* 


126  DESCRIPTION    OF    COUNTIES. 

Clark. — Large  quantities  of  excellent  farming  land  are 
to  be  had  in  this  county,  at  Government  price.  Extensive 
pine  forests  abound  ;  there  are  few  inhabitants  as  yet,  con- 
sisting principally  of  lumbermen. 

Dane — The  description  of  this  county  is  included  with 
that  of  Madison,  the  capital  of  the  State. 

Door  is  a  narrow  peninsula,  between  Green  Bay  and 
Lake  Michigan,  with  very  few  inhabitants.  It  was  sepa- 
rated from  Brown  County  in  1850.      Soil  said  to  be  good. 

Dodge,  named  in  honor  of  General  Dodge,  first  Governor 
of  Wisconsin,  is  one  of  the  finest  agricultural  counties  in 
the  State ;  its  surface  moderately  rolling,  diversified  by 
prairies,  oak  openings,  and  heavy  woodlands.  Iron  Ridge 
is  a  vast  accumulation  of  rich  iron  ore,  which  is  just  be- 
ginning to  be  extensively  manufactured.  Several  railroads 
pass  through  this  county,  giving  access  for  agricultural 
productions  to  Milwaukee.  The  capital  is  Juneau  ;  Ho- 
ricon,  Beaver  Dam,  and  Fox  Lake,  are  thriving  villages, 
and  rapidly  improving.  Population,  at  present,  over 
44,000. 

Douglas,  the  most  northwestern  county  in  the  State, 
lying  partly  on  Lake  Superior.  Only  a  small  part  has 
been  surveyed  and  brought  into  market.  The  soil  is  ad- 
mirably adapted  for  all  kinds  of  agricultural  productions  ; 
we  have  seen  specimens  raised,  which,  in  quality  and  size, 
far  exceeded  those  produced  in  the  Eastern  States.  The 
land  abounds  with  mineral  wealth,  and  the  waters  with  fish. 
The  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad,  commenced 
in  1856,  will  be  completed  next  year  to  St.  Paul.  This 
county  is  at  the  head  of  a  long  line  of  lake  navigation,  and 
will,  in  less  than  three  years  at  furthest,  be  in  connection 
with  the  Atlantic  cities  by  continuous  railroads.  To  those 
seeking  a  home,  and  fine  farming,  timber,  and  mineral 
lands,  contiguous  to  railroads,  at  $1.25  per  acre,  there  is 


DESCRIPTION    OF    COUNTIES.  127 

no  county  in  the  State  which  offers  such  inducements  to 
settlers  as  Douglas.  The  first  settlement  was  made  at  the 
City  of  Superior,  the  county-seat,  in  1853.  Wahbagon, 
on  the  St.  Louis,  and  Nashodana  on  the  railroad,  where 
it  crosses  the  St.  Croix  river,  have  recently  been  laid  out. 

Dunn,  a  new  county,  lying  on  the  Chippewa  river,  about 
fifty  miles  from  the  Mississippi.  The  soil  is  excellent,  well 
watered,  and  abounds  in  timber.  Lands,  as  yet,  unsur- 
veyed. 

Fond  du  Lac,  one  of  the  most  fertile  counties  in  the 
State,  containing  extensive  prairies,  and  quantities, of  heavy 
timber.  It  was  first  settled  in  1835,  and  has  progressed 
with  great  rapidity. 

Grant. — This  county  is  situated  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  State,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settled.  Lying  within 
the  mineral  tract,  it  has  a  very  valuable  deposit  of  lead 
ore.  The  soil  is  excellent.  There  is  yet  in  the  northern 
part  of  this  county  excellent  Government  land,  which,  by 
the  graduation  law,  is  now  reduced  to  fifty  cents  per  acre. 

Green,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  bordering  on 
Illinois,  is  an  agricultural  county  ;  partly  rich  prairie  land, 
with  some  timber. 

Iowa. — This  is  one  of  the  richest  counties  in  Wisconsin, 
both  in  soil  and  mineral  resources.  Copper  and  lead  are 
abundant.  It  is  well  watered,  convenient  to  railroads,  and 
is  the  central  point  for  mineral  operations.  The  celebrated 
Blue  Mounds,  in  its  northwestern  part,  are  remarkable  ele- 
vations, being  1000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Wisconsin 
river. 

Jackson  County  is  situated  on  the  Black  river,  about 
twentv-five  miles  from  the  Mississippi.  The  northern  part 
is  richly  supplied  with  fine  timber,  and  the  southern  is 
mostly  prairie,  of  the  best  quality.  There  is,  also,  an 
abundance  of  rich  iron  ore,  and  good  water-power.  The 
lands  are  open  to  pre-emption. 


128  DESCRIPTION    OF    COUNTIES. 

Jefferson  possesses  a  rich,  fertile  soil,  well  watered,  and 
traversed  by  railroads.  The  principal  place  is  Watertown  ; 
Jefferson,  Aztalan,  and  Lake  Mills,  are  flourishing  villages. 
It  contains  over  47,000  inhabitants. 

Juneau,  lately  separated  from  Dodge  County,  contains, 
at  present,  a  population  of  10,600. 

Kenosha,  a  county  forming  the  southeastern  extremity 
of  Wisconsin.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  State,  and 
under  high  cultivation. 

Kewaunee  lies  partly  on  Lake  Michigan  and  Green 
Bay,  and  contains  about  460  square  miles  ;  its  inhabitants 
are  few,  and  principally  engaged  in  lumbering.  Plenty  of 
Government  land  to  be  had. 

La  Crosse  County  possesses  farming  lauds  of  the  best 
quality,  and  vast  pineries  on  the  Black  river  and  its  tribu- 
taries. These  combined  advantages  have  attracted  great 
attention  for  the  past  two  years,  and  much  of  the  land  is 
already  occupied,  yet  some  good  Government  land  can  be 
found.  •  Population,  in  1856,  about  11,000. 

Lafayette  is  situated  in  the  mineral  region,  bordering 
on  Illinois.  The  soil  is  generally  productive,  but  has  been 
neglected  for  the  more  uncertain  business  of  mining.  The 
cliff  limestone,  which  underlies  this  county,  abounds  in  rich 
veins  of  lead  and  copper,  and  large  quantities  of  these 
minerals  are  exported.  The  famous  Platte  Mounds,  in  the 
northwest  part,  are  remarkable  for  their  regular  form,  and 
are  surrounded  with  a  large  expanse  of  prairie. 

La  Pointe  County,  bordering  on  Lake  Superior,  is 
extensively  covered  by  forests  of  pine  timber.  It  has  not 
been  surveyed,  and,  therefore,  very  little  is  known  of  its  soil 
and  mineral  resources.  The  fisheries  are  very  valuable, 
and  the  exports  from  this  source  are  increasing  every  year. 
La  Pointe,  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  in  the  Northwest, 
is  the  county-seat.     Bayfield,  Ashland,  and  Bay  City,  are 


DESCRIPTION    OF    COUNTIES.  129 

towns  lately  laid  out,  which  are  rapidly  rising  in  im- 
portance. 

Marathon  extends  from  the  Upper  Peninsula  of  Michi- 
gan, south  to  Towns  25  and  26,  containing  5452  square 
miles.  It  is  partly  surveyed,  and  begins  to  open  a  field 
for  lumbering.  The  Wisconsin  River  traverses  its  whole 
length,  opening  extensive  pine  forests  to  market.  No  part 
of  the  State  offers  greater  inducements  to  lumbermen  than 
this. 

Marquette.  —  Some  of  the  finest  and  best  cultivated 
farms  are  to  be  found  in  this  county.  It  consists  of  prairie, 
openings,  and  wood-land,  well  watered,  &c.  The  best  lands 
are  all  entered,  and  are  rapidly  coming  under  cultivation. 

Manitowoc,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  bordering 
on  Lake  Michigan,  has  good  land,  and  is  well  watered  ; 
large  quantities  of  timber  are  exported.  It  is  rapidly 
increasing  in  business,  and  has  a  population  of  20,000. 

Monroe  County,  separated  from  La  Crosse  in  1854,  is 
yet  almost  an  entire  wilderness,  consisting  of  oak  openings 
and  pine  groves  ;  the  soil  is  rich  and  productive,  principally 
Government  land,  from  which  good  selections  can  yet  be 
made.     Population  estimated  at  7000. 

Milwaukee  contains  a  population  at  present  of  about 
10,000,  and  is  too  generally  known  to  require  a  notice  iu 
this  work. 

Oconto. — This  county  lies  partly  between  Michigan  and 
Green  Bay,  containing  about  4000  square  miles,  and 
covered  with  valuable  timber.  Large  tracts  are  open  to 
pre-emptors  at  Government  price. 

Outagamie  possesses  a  fertile  soil,  mostly  covered  with 
forests  of  pine  and  other  timber,  and  well  watered.  Lands 
may  be  procured  at  Government  price. 

Ozaukee  is  on  Lake  Michigan,  north  of  Milwaukee. 
The  soil  is  rich,  well  cultivated,  and  divided  into  small 
farms. 


130  DESCRIPTION    OF    COUNTIES. 

Pierce  lies  on  the  Mississippi,  at  the  mouth  of  -the 
St.  Croix  River.  The  soil  is  very  good,  partly  covered 
with  pine  forests.     Land  mostly  subject  to  pre-emption. 

Polk,  formerly  included  in  St.  Croix  County,  comprises 
over  2500  square  miles,  has  much  good  farming  and  timber- 
lands  subject  to  entry.  Timber,  prairie,  and  openings,  are 
beautifully  interspersed  in  the  southern  part.  It  offers 
peculiar  inducements  to  the  settler,  on  account  of  the 
St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad  passing  through  it, 
and  is  destined  in  a  few  years  to  be  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant counties  in  the  State. 

Portage  County  is  on  the  Wisconsin  River,  and  several 
of  its  branches  pass  through  it.  Lumbering  is  its  great 
business  ;  pine  is  the  prevailing  timber.  The  soil  is  partly 
light  and  sandy,  with  occasional  strips  of  the  best  quality, 
adapted  to  all  kinds  of  agricultural  productions. 

Racine  lies  on  the  lake,  south  of  Milwaukee,  and  is  too 
generally  known  to  require  description. 

Rock  River  is  highly  prosperous,  containing  farms 
well-improved,  productive,  and  valuable.  Railroads  tra- 
verse every  part. 

Richland,  lying  on  the  north  bank  of  the  "Wisconsin 
River,  on  both  sides  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian,  is 
but  thinly  settled,  possessing  a  good  soil,  well  watered,  and 
timbered  with  maple,  walnut,  oak,  and  pine,  interspersed 
with  rich  prairies.  Large  quantities  of  land  are  yet  open 
to  pre-emption. 

Sauk  County  contains  about  800  square  miles,  consist- 
ing of  forests,  openings,  and  prairies.  The  soil  is  rich, 
and  well  adapted  to  agricultural  purposes.  There  is  much 
unsettled  land  here,  belonging  to  Government. 

Sheboygan  is  too  well  known  to  require  a  notice. 

Shaaval  ng  contains  large  quantities  of  Government  land. 
The  soil  consists  of  a  sandy  loam,  mostly  covered  with 
pine  timber,  which  is  easily  floated  down  the  Wolf  River. 


DESCRIPTION    OP    COUNTIES.  131 

St.  Croix. — This  county  is  finely  situated  upon  the 
Mississippi  River,  and  has  very  superior  advantages  for 
the  lumber-trade.  It  has  great  forest  wealth,  and  is  now 
attracting  much  attention.  The  surface  is  generally  rolling, 
composed  of  prairie,  openings,  and  forests,  of  the  best  pine 
and  other  kinds  of  timber. 

Trempeleau  contains  about  twenty  townships  of  land 
of  an  excellent  quality  for  farming  purposes,  offering  great 
inducements  to  emigrants,  as  the  lands  are  now  in  market 
at  Government  price. 

Washington,  a  few  miles  back  from  Lake  Michigan,  is 
heavily  timbered,  has  good  soil,  and  is  principally  settled 
by  Germans  and  Irish.  Population,  at  present,  over 
25,000. 

WAUPACCA  is  new,  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  "Wolf 
River,  possesses  plenty  of  Government  land,  well  watered, 
consisting  of  prairie,  openings,  timber,  and  extensive  pine 
forests.  Steamboats  pass  through  this  county  from  Osh- 
kosh  to  New  London. 

Waukesha  and  Walworth  are  both  too  well  known  to 
require  a  description. 

AVaushara,  an  excellent  agricultural  county,  formerly 
known  as  the  "Indian  lands,"  offers  strong  inducements 
to  emigrants,  in  its  fortunate  combination  of  openings  and 
timber-land.  It  is  well  watered,  and  there  are  yet  large 
quantities  of  Government  land  open  to  settlers.  Population 
in  1856,  about  34,000. 

Winnebago,  one  of  the  finest  counties  in  the  State,  lies 
on  the  west  side  of  {he  lake  of  the  same  name.  Its  surface 
"is  gently  rolling,  and  beautifully  diversified  with  woodland, 
openings,  prairie,  and  native  hay-fields.  Improved  farms 
can  be  obtained,  of  all  classes,  at  from  ten  to  twenty  dollars 
per  acre ;  good  unimproved  lands,  from  three  to  ten 
dollars. 


132 


CENSUS    OF    WISCONSIN. 


CENSUS   OF   WISCONSIN,    FROM    1820   TO    1855. 


COUNTIES. 

1820 

18150 

1834 

1836 

1838 

1840 

1842 

1846 

1847 

1850 

1855 

187 

6,868 

4,823 

952 

964 

1957 

2706 

304S 

2107 

2146 

2,t62 

2,91* 

6,223 

6,699 

832 

275 

407 

836 

1,060 

1.74e 

3.631 

615 

3,638 

Clark 

838 

1,969 

3,791 

9,56., 

17,966 

Crawford  ... 

492 

692 

810 

1220 

850 

1503 

1449 

1,444 

l,40y 

2,39H 

3.32J 

172 

18 

31'4 
67 

776 
149 

8,289 
7,787 

10.936 
14,905 

16.654 
19,140 

37,714 

34,540 

739 

385 

1,650 

londdu  Lac 

139 

295 

3,544 

7,459 

14,512 

24,784 

2763 

3926 

5937 

12,034 

11,720 

16,169 

23,175 

494 

930 

1694 

4,758 

6,487 

8,583 

14,727 

1589 

2633 

3218 

5234 

3078 

5029 

14,906 

7,963 

10,479 

15,206 

1,U9S 

463 

914 

1638 

8,860 

11,464 

15,339 

26  869 

1,109 

10,730 

12,307 

La  Crosse  ... 

3,904 

9,335 

11.55' 

16,064 

364 

595 

417 

Manitowoc . 

236 

263 

629 

1,286 

3,712 

13,04S 

464. 

1,447 

18 

59 

986 

2,261 

8,64. 

14,873 

Milwaukee  . 

2892 

3131 

5607 

9566 

15,922 

22,791 

31,11b 

46,265 

2,4u7 

1,501 

Outagamie  . 

4.914 

12,973 

1,720 

547 

1623 

646 

931 

1,504 

1,267 

5.151 

2054 

3475 

6318 

17,983 

19,236 

14,971 

20.673 

903 

5,584 

1701 

2867 

12,405 

14,720 

30,717 

31,364 

1,419 

1.674 

624 

2,040 

102 

393 

1,003 

2,178 

4,37- 

13,614 

264 

Sheboygan  . 

133 

227 

1,637 

5,580 

8,386 

20,391 

Trempeleau 

493 

ib'iy 

64 

2611 
343 

461S 
965 

13,439 

7,473 

15,039 
15,447 

17,861 

19,476 

22,662 
18,897 

Washington 

Waukesha .. 

13,793 

15,866 

19,324 

24,012 

4,437 

5,541 

Winnebago. 
Total 

U44 

(245 

6400 

19,31t 

135 

29,276 

143 

45,4*4 

732 

2,748 

10,167 

17,439 

10,03b 

155,441 

210,117 

:410,404 

552,109 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

GRANTS  OF  LAND  BY  CONGRESS  —  LA  CROSSE  AND  MILWAU- 
KEE ;  CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL  AND  FOND  DU  LAC  ;  AND  OTHER 
RAILROADS. 

Wisconsin,  although  one  of  the  youngest  States  of  the 
"confederacy,  is  now,  considering  the  time  of  its  settlement, 
much  better  supplied  with  railroad  communications  than 
any  other  State  in  the  Union.  The  General  Government, 
with  those  broad  and  comprehensive  views,  which  should 
always  distinguish  it,  of  the  necessity  for  promoting  internal 
improvements,  and  for  assisting  young  and  enterprising 
States,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,'  lately  passed  the  following  Act 

1  This  grant  will  complete  a  great  north  and  south  trunk  road, 
from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  Lake  Superior  and  the  Upper  Missis- 
sippi ;  will  develop  the  most  valuable  iron  and  copper  mines,  which. 
are  sufficient  to  supply  the  necessities  of  the  world  for  ages  to  come, 
and  distribute  their  products  throughout  the  States.  It  will  pene- 
trate the  extensive  northern  pineries,  and,  by  rail  and  river,  furnish, 
lumber  to  all  the  West  and  South.  It  will  speedily  settle  an  im- 
mense wilderness,  destined  to  remain  unoccupied  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century  to  come,  without  some  such  aid.  The  alternate  sections  re- 
maining to  Government  will  not  only  sell  readily,  and  for  a  greater 
amount,  but  are  actually  more  profitable  with  the  road  through, 
them,  than  the  whole  without  such  a  road.  This  measure  will 
greatly  increase  the  wealth,  prosperity,  and  power  of  Wisconsin  as  a 
State,  and  also  add  to  the  comfort  and  general  prosperity  of  its 
citizens. 

Capital,  enterprise,  and  industry  from  other  States,  will  find  in 
12  (133) 


134  GRANTS    OP    LAND 

granting  public  lands  to  Wisconsin,  to  aid  in  the  construc- 
tion of  railroads. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled,  That  there  be, 
and  is  hereby,  granted  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  in  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  Madison,  or  Columbus, 
by  the  way  of  Portage  City,  to  the  St.  Croix  river  or  lake,  between 
townships  twenty-five  and  thirty-one,  and  from  thence  to  the  west 
end  of  Lake  Superior,  and  to  Bayfield ;  and,  also,  from  Fond  du 
Lac,  on  Lake  Winnebago,  northerly  to  the  State  line,  every  alternate 
section  of  land  designated  by  odd  numbers,  for  six  sections  in  width 
on  each  side  of  said  roads,  respectively.  But  in  case  it  shall  appear 
that  the  United  States  have,  when  the  lines  or  routes  of  said  roads 
are  definitely  fixed,  sold  any  sections  or  parts  thereof  granted  as 
aforesaid,  or  that  the  right  of  pre-emption  has  attached  to  the  same, 
then  it  shall  be  lawful  for  any  agent,  or  agents,  to  be  appointed  by 
the  Governor  of  said  State,  to  select,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Interior,  from  the  lands  of  the  United  States  nearest 
to  the  tier  of  sections  above  specified,  as  much  land,  in  alternate 
sections,  or  parts  of  sections,  as  shall  be  equal  to  such  lands  as  the 
United  States  have  sold  or  otherwise  appropriated,  or  to  which  the 
right  of  pre-emption  has  attached  as  aforesaid,  which  lands  (thus 
selected  in  lieu  of  those  sold,  and  to  which  pre-emption  has  attached 
as  aforesaid,  together  with  the  sections  and  parts  of  sections,  desig- 
nated by  odd  numbers  as  aforesaid,  and  appropriated  as  aforesaid) 
shall  be  held  by  the  State  of  Wisconsin  for  the  use  and  purpose 
aforesaid :  Provided,  That  the  lands  to  be  so  located  shall  in  no  case 
be  further  than  fifteen  miles  from  the  line  of  the  roads  in  each  case, 
and  selected  for  and  on  account  of  said  roads :  Provided  further,  That 
the  lands  hereby  granted  shall  be  exclusively  applied  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  road  for  which  it  was  granted  and  selected,  and  shall 
be  disposed  of  only  as  the  work  progresses,  and  the  same  shall  be 

Wisconsin  sure  promise  of  a  rich  reward,  and  by  thus  invigorating 
one  member  of  the  confederacy,  strength  is  given  to  the  whole  body 
politic,  and  bonds  of  affection  will  be  created  that  will  grow  stronger, 
year  by  year,  until  they  shall  become  indissoluble,  and  furnish  the 
surest  guarantee  of  the  perpetuity  of  this  glorious  Union. — Abstract 
of  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Public  Lands. 


BY    CONGRESS.  135 

■*- 

applied  to  no  other  purpose  ■whatever.  And  provided  further,  That 
any  and  all  lands  reserved  to  the  United  States  by  any  Act  of  Con- 
gress, for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  any  object  of  internal  improvement, 
or  in  any  manner  or  for  any  purpose  whatsoever,  be,  and  the  same 
are  hereby,  reserved  to  the  United  States  from  the  operation  of  this 
act,  except  so  far  as  it  may  be  found  necessary  to  locate  the  route 
of  said  railroad  through  such  reserved  lands,  in  which  case  the  right 
of  way  only  shall  be  granted,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  President 
of^the  United  States. 

Sect.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  sections  and  parts  of 
sections  of  land  which,  by  such  grant,  shall,  remain  to.  the  United 
States,  within  six  miles  on  each  side  of  said  roads,  shall  not  be  sold 
for  less  than  double  the  minimum  price  of  the  public  lands,  when 
sold  ;  nor  shall  any  of  the  said  lands  become  subject  to  private  entry 
until  the  same  have  been  first  offered  at  public  sale  at  the  increased 
price. 

Sect.  3.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  lands  hereby 
granted  to  said  State  shall  be  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  Legis- 
lature thereof,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  and  no  other;  and  the 
said  railroads  shall  be  and  remain  public  highways  for  the  use  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States,  free  from  toll  or  other  charge 
upon  the  transportation  of  property  or  troops  of  the  United  States. 

Sect.  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  lands  hereby  granted 
to  said  State  shall  be  disposed  of  by  said  State  only  in  the  manner 
following,  that  is  to  say :  That  a  quantity  of  land  not  exceeding  one 
hundred  and  twenty  sections,  and  included  within  a  continuous 
length  of  twenty  miles  of  roads  respectively,  may  be  sold:  and  when 
the  Governor  of  said  State  shall  certify  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Inte- 
rior that  any  twenty  continuous  miles  of  either  of  said  roads  are 
completed,  then  another  like  quantity  of  land  hereby  granted  may 
be  sold ;  and  so,  from  time  to  time,  until  said  roads  are  completed ; 
and  if  said  roads  are  not  completed  within  ten  years,  no  further 
sales  shall  be  made,  and  the  land  unsold  shall  revert  to  the  United 
States. 

Sect.  5.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  United  States  mail 
shall  be  transported  over  said  roads,  under  the  direction  of  the  Post- 
office  Department,  at  such  price  as  Congress  ma3T,  by  law,  direct: 
Provided,  That  until  such  price  is  fixed  by  law,  the  Postmaster- 
General  shall  have  the  power  to  determine  the  same. 

Approved  June  3,  1850. 


136  LA    CROSSE    AND 

As  this  munificent  grant  to  the  State  was  to  be  applied 
In  such  manner  as  its  Legislature  should  determine,  it  be- 
came a  question,  whether  the  construction  of  these  roads 
ought  to  be  undertaken  by  the  State  directly,  under  its 
officers  and  agents,  or  by  some  delegated  authority.  The 
Legislature  decided  that  the  mode  of  applying  the  grant 
should  be  through  the  medium  of  incorporated  companies. 
The  lands  on  the  east  side  of  the  State  were  given  to  a 
new  company,  authorized  and  required  to  construct  a  first- 
class  road  from  Fond  du  Lac,  the  present  terminus  of  the 
Chicago,  St.  Paul  and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad,  to  Supe- 
rior, at  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior,  touching  the 
Michigan  line,  and  giving  a  connection  to  the  Michigan 
roads  from  Marquette  and  Ontonagon.  On  the  western 
side,  they  were  granted  to  the  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee 
Railroad,  from  Madison  to  Hudson,  and  the  city  of  Supe- 
rior. The  following  are  extracts  from  an  Act  passed  in 
relation  to  the  latter  Company,  and  approved  June  3,  1856  : 

The  People  of  the  Stale  of  Wisconsin,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assem- 
bly, do  enact  as  follows : 

Section  1.  The  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company  is 
hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  survey,  locate,  construct,  com- 
plete, and  perpetually  to  have,  use,  maintain,  and  operate  railroads 
with  one  or  more  tracks  or  lines,  from  the  city  of  Madison,  in  the 
county  of  Dane,  and  from  the  village  of  Columbus,  in  the  county  of 
Columbia,  on  the  most  direct  and  feasible  route,  by  the  way  of  Portage 
City,  to  the  St.  Croix  river  or  lake,  between  townships  twenty-five 
and  thirty-one,  and  from  thence  to  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior, 
and  to  Bayfield ;  and  shall  have,  possess,  exercise  and  enjoy  the 
same  rights,  privileges,  functions,  franchises,  authority  and  immu- 
nities with  reference  to  the  said  routes,  or  any  railroad  to  be  built 
thereon,  as  it  now  possesses  or  enjoys  with  reference  to  any  route 
it  is  now  authorized  to  occupy,  or  any  railroad  built  or  to  be  built 
thereon ;  and  there  is  hereby  conferred  upon  the  La  Crosse  and  Mil- 
waukee Railroad  Company,  all  the  power  and  authority  contained  in 


MILWAUKEE    RAILROAD.  13*7 

the  charter  of  said  Company,  and  in  the  acts  amendatory  thereof,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  objects  of  this  act,  and  of  appro- 
priating and  applying  the  lands  hereinafter  in  this  act  granted,  or 
their  proceeds,  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  railroads  by  this  act 
authorized  to  be  built. 

Sect.  2.  The  said  roads  shall  be  constructed  on  the  most  direct 
and  feasible  routes  from  Madison  to  Portage  City,  and  from  Colum- 
bus to  Portage  City,  and  simultaneously  as  nearly  as  practicable; 
and  both  of  them  shall  be  completed  by  the  last  day  of  December, 
A.  D.  1858.  And  for  the  purpose  of  estimating  and  selecting  lands 
granted  by  Congress,  the  city  of  Madison  is  hereby  designated  as 
the  point  of  commencement  of  said  road,  and  the  whole  of  the  rail- 
road hereby  authorized  to  be  constructed,  shall  be  constructed  by 
said  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company,  within  ten  years 
from  the  third  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1856. 

Sect.  4.  For  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  construction  of  the  rail- 
roads— which,  by  this  act,  the  said  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Rail- 
road Company  is  authorized  to  construct — all  the  interest  and  estate, 
present  and  prospective,  of  this  State,  in,  or  to  any,  and  all  the  lands 
granted  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin, for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  construction  of  a  railroad 
from  Madison  or  Columbus,  by  way  of  Portage  City,  to  the  St.  Croix 
river  or  lake,  between  townships  twenty-five  and  thirty-one,  and 
from  thence  to  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior,  and  to  Bayfield,  by 
virtue  of  an  Act  of  Congi-ess,  entitled  "An  Act  granting  a  portion  of 
the  public  lands  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  to  aid  in  the  construction 
of  railroads,"  approved  June  3d,  1856,  together  with  all  and  singular 
the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  conferred,  or  intended  to  be 
conferred,  by  the  said  Act  of  Congress,  are  hereby  granted  to  the 
said  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company :  Provided,  That 
the  said  land  shall  be  exclusively  applied  in  the  construction  of  that 
road,  for  which  it  was  granted  and  selected ;  and  shall  be  disposed 
of  only  as  the  work  progresses,  and  the  same  shall  be  applied  to  no 
other  purpose  whatsoever:  And  provided  further,  That  the  title  to  said 
lands  shall  vest  in  the  said  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Com- 
pany, &c,  &c. 

On  the  11th  day  of  October,  1856,  the  above  grant  was 
accepted,   and  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  Act  of 
Legislature  agreed  to,  by  the  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee 
12* 


138  LA    CROSSE    AND 

Company,  and  their  railroads  were  divided  into  the  follow- 
ing divisions,  for  the  purposes  of  construction,  viz  :  The 
Eastern  Division,  embracing  the  road  from  Milwaukee  to 
Portage  City  ;  the  Western,  from  that  point  to  La  Crosse  ; 
the  Watertowu,  from  Milwaukee  to  Portage  City;  the 
Northwestern,  commonly  called  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake 
Superior  Railroad,  from  its  intersection  with  this  river  or 
lake  to  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior;  and  the  Portage 
Division,  extending  from  Madison  to  Portage  City.  The 
stock  of  each  of  them  to  be  separate  and  distinct  from  the 
others,  until  they  are  all  completed,  or  in  running  order. 
Then  it  will  become  a  part  of  the  general  stock  of  the 
Company. 

Tlie  routes  of  these  divisions  were  immediately  surveyed. 
Moses  M.  Strong,  Esq.,  Land  Commissioner  of  this  Com- 
pany, in  his  Report  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  says  :  — 
"The  laud  which  we  are  entitled  to  amounts  to  six  sections 
of  640  acres  for  every  mile  between  Madison  and  St. 
Croix,  upon  whatever  route  shall  be  adopted.  This  is 
equal  to  3840  acres  for  every  mile  of  road.  If  the  route 
by  Point  Basse  be  adopted,  the  distance  will  be  268  miles, 
and  the  quantity  of  land  would  be  1,029,120  acres.  No 
precise  information  can,  of  course,  be  had  in  relation  to  the 
character  and  description  of  every  particular  tract  of  land, 
until  the  lands  which  are  to  vest  in  the  Company  are  deter- 
mined upon  ;  but  enough  is  known  to  satisfy  us  that  the 
country,  upon  the  whole  line  of  the  road,  is  well  adapted 
to  settlement  and  cultivation  ;  and  it  is  believed,  that  not 
a  single  forty-acre  tract  will  be  found  that  will  not  be  valu- 
able for  fanning  purposes.  All  the  lauds  will  be  between 
latitude  43°  30'  and  45°  10'  north,  and  longitude  12°  45' 
and  15°  55'  west  from  Washington.  In  the  whole  of  this 
territory,  embracing  an  area  of  about  20,000  square  miles, 
there  are  no  mountains.     And  while  there  are  quite  a  nuin- 


MILWAUKEE    RAILROAD.  139 

ber  of  small  prairies,  many  of  them  are  not  more  than  three 
or  four  miles  from  timber.  The  lands  selected  will,  of 
course,  be  the  most  valuable  that  can  be  procured,  and 
every  forty-acre  tract  will  be  suitable  for  farming  purposes.1 

"All  the  rivers  and  smaller  streams  which  water  the 
country  through  which  the  road  will  pass,  furnish  numerous 
water-powers  and  facilities  for  manufacturing  establish- 
ments. Upon  these  will  be  erected  saw  and  grist  mills  to 
supply  the  first  demands  of  the  inhabitants,  and  to  enable 
tliem  to  prosecute,  with  profit,  their  agricultural  and  lum- 
bering pursuits.  It  is  also  known  that  extensive  deposits 
of  iron  ore  exist  in  various  localities  between  Portage  City 
and  Lake  Superior. 

"In  forming  an  opinion  of  the  value  of  the  lands,  they 
should  be  viewed  with  all  the  advantages  they  will  possess 
after  the  road  is  constructed.  All  suitable  for  cultivation  ; 
none  more  than  fifteen  miles,  and  a  large  proportion  within 
six  miles  of  the  railroad,  possessing  every  desirable  facility 
for  fencing,  fuel,  water,  and  for  cheap  building  materials, 
with  all  the  adjacent  lands  purchased,  owned,  and  occupied 
by  an  enterprising  and  industrious  population,  there  can 
be  no  reason  why  they  should  not  command  as  high  prices 
as  those  in  the  more  southern  part  of  the  State,  of  no 
greater  intrinsic  value,  nor  possessing  greater  railroad 
facilities." 

From  the  last  Report  of  the  President  of  the  La  Crosse 
and  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company,  we  learn  that  none  of 
these  lands  will  be  offered  for  sale  until  the  road  shall  be 
completed  to  St.  Croix,  and  in  operation  a  year,  which 
will  be  in  about  four  years  from  the  present.  During  this 
l><  Hod,  the  lands  remaining  to  the  Government  along  the 
route,  will  no  doubt  be  pre-empted  the  whole  distance, 
and  the  country  generally  advanced  in  improvements.    The 

1  For  a  description  of  these  lands,  see  page  42. 


140  LA    CROSSE    AND 

land  then  owned  by  this  Company  will  be  the  only  land  in 
market,  and  will  readily  command  the  highest  prices ;  and 
being  sold  on  a  long  credit,  with  small  annual  jjayments, 
will  enable  the  better  class  of  actual  settlers  to  purchase 
at  fair  prices. 

"  Sales  being  made  in  this  manner,  and  subject  to  the 
payment  of  seven  per  centum  per  annum  interest,  and  the 
principal  in  a  term  of  years,  will  readily  produce  the 
following  results  : 

"10,000  acres,  emlirnoingvillage-sites,  valuable  water-powers, 

mines,  &c,  at.  $100  per  acre $1,000,000 

•     200.000  acres  first-class  farming-land   near  the  line,  with 

smaller  water-powers  and  other  privileges,  $20  per  acre,     4,000,000 
300,000  acres  of  farming-lands,  &e.,  further  from  the  road, 

$15  per  acre 4,500,000 

350,000  acres  of  farming-lands,  at  still  greater  distance  from 

the  road,  $10  per  acre 3,500,000 

123,000  acres  ot  inferior  land,  $5  per  acre 615,000 


Total $13,615,000 

"These  lands  are  among  the  most  valuable  in  the  western 
country,  and,  instead  of  falling  below,  their  value  will 
exceed  the  above  estimate.  No  one  acquainted  with  the 
rapid  growth  and  improvement  of  the  West,  can  entertain 
a  doubt  that  they  will  command  a  price  far  above  that  we 
have  given. 

•'The  length  of  road  from  Madison  to  St.  Croix  is  256 
miles  ;  from  Portage  City  to  La  Crosse  is  101  miles  ;  from 
which  deduct  36  miles,  which,  in  common  with  the  other, 
leaves  65  miles  to  complete  the  road  to  La  Crosse ; 
adding  to  this,  20  miles  finished  from  Columbus  to  the 
intersection  of  the  La  Crosse  Road,  gives  a  total  of  341 
miles  to  be  constructed  in  the  completion  of  our  system. 
Estimating  the  cost  at  $30,000  per  mile,  to  include  all 


MILWAUKEE    RAILROAD.  141 

expenses,  would  give  a  grand  total  of  $10,230,000,  which 
is  $3,385,000  less  than  the  value  of  the  land  alone. 

"A  mere  glance  at  the  map  exhibits  our  commanding 
position,  and  carries  conviction  to  the  mind  without  argu- 
ment, that  it  is  the  only  great  artery  along  which  must 
flow  the  business  of  the  largest  scope  of  the  Jin  est  country 
which  can  be  found  tributary  to  anyone  road  in  the  United 
States.  The  business  of  the  Upper  Mississippi  surprises 
every  one  who  visits  that  region.  There  are  now  some 
fifty  steamboats  plying  on  the  river  above  Galena,  and  all 
doing  a  full  and  profitable  business.  The  travel  alone,  to 
and  from  there,  which  would  pass  over  the  railroad  at  this 
time,  if  completed  to  La  Crosse,  would  make  it  one  of  the 
best  paying  roads  in  the  country."  This  branch  will  be 
completed  in  less  than  a  year,  and  the  company  in  posses- 
sion of  the  most  northerly  through  and  direct  route  from 
the  Lake  to  the  Mississippi  River,  and  of  course  take  the 
greatest  part  of  the  through  travel,  in  addition  to  the  freight 
and  way  business  of  one  of  the  finest  farming-districts  in 
the  world. 

When  this  division  is  completed,  a  railroad  will  have 
been  commenced  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  across 
the  vast  expanse  of  plain  some  500  miles,  making  tributary 
to  it  the  southern  part  of  Minnesota ;  while  from  the  St. 
Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Road,  a  branch  to  St.  Paul  will 
be  in  the  full  tide  of  successful  operation ;  and  thence 
extending  through  the  central  part  of  Minnesota,  on  the 
great  route  towards  the  Pacific.  Railroad  facilities  will  be 
rapidly  furnished,  bringing  to  the  La  Crosse  and  Mil- 
waukee Road  the  rich  tribute  of  the  central  tract  of  that 
State;  while  yet  again,  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior 
division,  to  the  City  of  Superior,  will  bring  the  valuable 
trade  of  Northern  Wisconsin,  Michigan,  and  Minnesota, 


142  CHICAGO,     ST.    PAUL,    AND 

besides  the  vast  amount  of  freight  and  pleasure-travel  which 
will  land  at  this  young  and  rising  city. 

"  The  position  and  facilities  of  the  La  Crosse  and  Mil- 
waukee Railroad  will  be  such,  as  almost  with  certainty 
give  it  the  greatest  part  of  the  trade  of  the  Upper  Missis- 
sippi, embracing  the  whole  of  Minnesota  and  one-half  of 
Wisconsin,  both  equal  to  an  area  of  two  of  the  largest 
States  in  the  Union,  and  an  amount  of  business  beyond 
computation." 

The  earnings  of  the  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Road,  as 
far  as  completed,  in  1856,  have  considerably  exceeded  the 
estimates,  and,  in  fact,'  have  been  greater  than  can  be 
shown  in  the  history  of  any  railroad  in  America,  of  the 
same  distance  and  first  year  of  its  operation.  The  total 
amount,  up  to  1857,  was  $505,083  86.  The  earnings  of 
the  eastern  division,  for  May,  1857,  were  $63,221  70,  being 
an  increase  of  $21,745  77  over  May,  1856. 

THE  CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  AND  POND  DU  LAC  RAILROAD. 

The  Legislature  of  Wisconsin  conferred  the  Eastern 
Grant  of  lands,  as  we  have  before  mentioned,  upon  a  new 
company  of  citizens  of  this  State  alone,  incorporated  as  the 
"Wisconsin  and  Superior  Railroad  Company."  As  this 
line  was  the  natural  continuation  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul, 
and  Fond  du  Lac  Company,  which  was  then  engaged  in 
constructing  its  road  north  of  Fond  du  Lac,  arrangements 
were  mutually  agreed  upon  for  uniting  the  interests  of  the 
two  companies.  The  subjoined  Act  of  the  Legislature  was 
passed,  and  approved  February  12th,  1857,  authorizing 
them  to  consolidate  : 

Section  1.  The  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad 
Company,  a  corporation  created  under  the  laws  of  the  States  of  Illi- 

1  From  the  Annual  Report  of  its  Directors. 


FOND    DTJ    LAC    RAILROAD.  143 

nois  and  Wisconsin,  by  the  consolidation  of  the  Illinois  and  Wisconsin 
Railroad  Company  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  the  Rock  River  Valley 
Union  Railroad  Company  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  the  Wiscon- 
sin and  Superior  Railroad  Company,  a  corporation  created  by  the 
laws  of  Wisconsin,  are  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  consoli- 
date the  capital-stock  of  the  two  companies,  and  to  make  the  two 
companies  one,  and  to  place  the  affairs  and  property  of  the  two  com- 
panies under  the  direction  of  one  board  of  directors,  &c. 

Sect.  2.  The  said  consolidated  company  thus  created  shall  be, 
and  is  hereby  declared  to  be  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  under  the 
name  of  The  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad  Com- 
pany, &c. 

Sect.  3.  The  said  consolidated  company,  hereby  created,  shall  be 
entitled  to,  and  invested  with,  the  title  and  ownership  of  all  the  lands, 
and  all  and  singular  the  rights,  privileges,  and  immunities  granted 
or  conferred  by  the  Act  of  Congress,  approved  June  3d,  A.  D.  1856, 
entitled  "An  Act  granting  public  lands  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  railroads  in  said  State,"  to  the  extent  of 
the  whole  of  the  lands  granted  by  said  Act  of  Congress,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  aiding  in  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  Fond  du  Lac,  on 
Lake  Winnebago,  northerly  to  the  State  line,  as  fully  and  completely 
as  the  said  Wisconsin  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad  Company  is,  by 
its  charter,  entitled  to  and  invested  with  the  same  ;  subject,  however, 
to  all  the  terms,  conditions,  restrictions,  limitations,  impositions, 
duties,  and  obligations,  contained  in  the  charter  of  said  Wisconsin 
and  Superior  Railroad  Company,  and  in  the  said  Act  of  Congress, 
as  far  as  the  same  are  applicable  to  the  consolidated  company 
hereby  created,  &c. 

"The  State  of  Michigan  also  received  a  grant  of  land 
from  Congress,  'to  aid  in  the  construction  of  railroads 
from  Little  Bay  de  Noquet  to  Marquette,  and  thence  to 
Outonagon,  and  from  the  two  last-named  places  to  the 
Wisconsin  State  line  ;  also  from  Amboy,  by  Hillsdale  and 
Lansing,  and  from  Grand  Rapids  to  some  point  on  or  near 
Traverse  Bay  ;  also  from  Grand  Haven  and  Pere  Marquette 
to  Flint,  and  thence  to  Port  Huron,  every  alternate  section 
of  land,  designated  by  odd  numbers,  for  six  sections  in 
width,  on  each  side  of  each  of  said  roads. ' 


144  CHICAGO,     ST.    PAUL,    AND 

"The  Legislature  of  Michigan,  which  had  the  disposal 
of  the  lands,  distributed  them  among  several  companies. 
That  portion  of  the  grant  pertaining  to  the  route  from 
Marquette,  on  Lake  Superior,  to  the  State  line  of  Wis- 
consin, was  donated  to  the  Marquette  and  State-Line  Rail- 
road Company,  a  corporation  organized  under  the  general 
railroad  laws  of  Michigan ;  and  that  portion  of  the  grant 
extending  from  Ontonagon  to  the  State  line  was  donated 
to  the  Ontonagon  and  State-Line  Railroad  Company, 
organized  in  like  manner. 

"  In  accordance  with  the  provisions  contained  in  the  said 
several  charters,  and  also  by  virtue  of  special  acts  of  the 
Legislatures  of  Wisconsin  and  Michigan,  authorizing  the 
same,  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac  Company, 
and  the  Marquette  and  State-Line  Railroad  Company, 
and  the  Ontonagon  and  State-Line  Company,  were  con- 
solidated, and  thereby  this  company  became  fully  invested 
generally  with  all  the  chartered  rights  and  properties  of 
those  companies,  and  particularly  with  all  the  rights  to  the 
land-grant  applicable  to  these  lines  of  road. 

"  Prior  to  its  consolidation  with  this  company,  the 
Marquette  and  State-Line  Company  had  contracted  for  the 
purchase  of  a  railroad  about  seventeen  miles  in  length, 
from  Marquette  to  the  iron  mines  directly  on  their  general 
route  to  the  State  line  of  Wisconsin,  and  by  virtue  of  this 
consolidation,  this  company  becomes  possessed  of  said 
road,  and  also  of  valuable  contracts,  with  several  large 
mining  companies  in  that  section,  for  transporting  iron-ore 
from  the  mines  to  the  harbor  of  Marquette.  This  section 
of  the  road,  it  is  supposed,  will  be  in  full  operation  to  the 
iron  mountain  in  July  of  the  present  year. 

"  The  distauce  from  Fond  du  Lac  (where  the  land-grant 
commences,)  to  the  State  line  of  Michigan,  nearly  due 
north,  is  about  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  miles,  (as  ascer- 


FOND    DU    LAC    RAILROAD.  145 

tained  from  a  recent  survey  of  the  route  by  a  corps  of 
engineers,)  and  from  the  State  line  to  Marquette,  about 
seventy-five  miles  ;  and  from  the  State  line  to  Ontonagon, 
about  ninety  miles,  making,  in  all,  three  hundred  and 
thirty  miles  of  land-grant  road,  upon  the  most  direct  and 
natural  route  to  the  copper  and  iron  harbors  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior. The  Act  of  Congress  gives  every  alternate  section 
of  land,  for  six  sections  in  width,  on  either  side  of  the  road  ; 
and  in  case  of  deficiency  of  land  within  that  limit,  such 
deficiency  may  be  supplied  by  selecting  lands  on  either  side 
for  fifteen  miles,  allowing  a  width,  for  such  selections,  of 
thirty  miles  —  the  entire  length  of  the  road.  This,  as  will 
be  seen,  amounts  to  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  land  for  every  mile  of  railroad,  and  the  whole 
distance  being  three  hundred  and  thirty  miles,  makes  one 
million  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven  thousand  acres. 
Besides  this,  the  company  have  the  right,  by  the  charter, 
of  running  a  road  north-westerly  to  the  west  end  of  Lake 
Superior,  within  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  to  which  the  grant 
of  land  also  attaches.  This  can  be  done  at  any  time 
within  ten  years  ;  and,  if  done,  will  add  about  900,000  acres 
more  to  the  lands  of  the  company.  This  is  truly  a  rich 
and  munificent  gift  from  the  General  Government  to  aid 
these  railroad  enterprises. 

"  In  regard  to  the  cost  of  construction  of  the  road,  and 
the  value  of  these  lands,  Mr.  S.  F.  Johnston,  the  engineer 
under  whose  superintendence  the  explorations  were  made, 
says  that  '  a  railroad  can  be  built  on  our  general  route, 
northerly,  cheaply,  and  with  great  ease ;  that  the  snow  is 
less  an  obstruction  to  the  operation  of  a  railroad  than  on 
the  prairies  of  Illinois,  for  the  reason  that  it  does  not 
drift  at  all,  even  on  the  highest  lands.'  He  also  reports 
that,  in  some  localities,  the  needle  of  the  compass  was 
materially  affected  by  magnetic  iron-ore.  The  explorations 
13 


146  CHICAGO,     ST.    PAUL,    AND 

heretofore  made  by  engineers,  from  Ontonagon  and  Mar- 
quette, show  their  respective  routes  to  be  feasible  for  a 
railroad,  and  the  land  good,  heavily  timbered,  with  very 
valuable  varieties ;  and  also  refer  to  the  well-known  fact, 
that  inexhaustible  deposits  of  pure  copper  and  iron  ore 
exist  along  the  lines  of  road.     The  extensive  forests  of 
pine,  for  which   Northern  Wisconsin   is   celebrated,   and 
through  which  the  contemplated  line  will  pass,  cannot  fail 
to  be  of  great  value,  especially  when  the  road  is  finished 
through    them.      The    rapid    and    continually-increasing 
growth  and  settlement  of  the  area  of  country  south  of  the 
line  above  indicated,  together  with  the  already  marked 
inroads  now  being  made  upon  the  forests  north  of  that  line 
by  the  enormous  amount  of  timber  annually  cut  there,  prove 
that  these  lands  will  be  very  valuable.     On  or  near  the 
Brule  River,  on  the  route  of  this  road,  are  inexhaustible 
beds  of  the  finest  quality  of  slate  and  marble.     As  there 
are   no   other   slate-quarries  within   many  hundred   miles 
south  and  west,  eventually  this  slate  will  be  sent  by  rail- 
road, southerly,  in  large  quantities,  for  roofing  and  other 
purposes  ;  of  course,  this  land  must  be  valuable,  and  much 
of  it- will  be  owned  by  the  company. 

"But  the  most  valuable  are  the  mineral  lands.  Pure, 
unadulterated  copper '  is  found  along  the  whole  trap-range, 
extending  from  Montreal  River,  north-easterly,  past  Onto- 
nagon harbor,  nearly  parallel  with  the  southern  shore  of 
the  lakes,  and  about  fifteen  to  twenty-five  miles  from  it,  a 
distance  of  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  to  the  extre- 
mity of  Keweenaw  Point." 

W.  B.  Ogden,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul, 
and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad  Company,  in  a  circular-letter 
to  the  stockholders,  says  :  "  Preliminary  surveys  have  been 

1  A  general  description  of  this  copper-region  -will  be  found  in  the 
Second  Part  of  this  -work. 


FOND    DU    LAC    RAILROAD.  147 

made  of  these  lines,  which  show  them  entirely  feasible  for  a 
railroad,  at  an  average  cost  of  about  $25,000  per  mile,  and 
running  through  a  peculiarly  healthful  region  of  good 
farming  and  valuable  timber  and  mineral  lands.  We  shall 
obtain  the  full  quota  of  lands  to  which  we  are  entitled  under 
the  Act  of  Congress,  viz.  :  3,840  acres  per  mile,  and  all 
(after  excluding  all  swamp  and  refuse  lands  granted  to  the 
State,)  within  ten  miles  of  our  road.  Many  of  these  lands 
have  a  special  value,  in  addition  to  their  worth  for  farming 
purposes.  With  the  exception  of  the  prairie  region  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  southern  part  of  the  road,  and  occasional 
meadows  and  openings  all  along  it,  the  whole  line  north 
from  Appleton  (some  forty  miles  north  of  Fond  du  Lac,) 
passes  over  lands  covered  with  fine  white  pine  and  other 
valuable  timber,  well  watered,  and  abounding  in  great  wealth 
of  iron,  copper,  slate,  and  marble. 

"  The  Marquette  line  passes  over  superior  and  extensive 
slate-quarries  of  various  colors,  and  the  only  known  acces- 
sible slate  west  of  Vermont,  for  the  supply,  over  our  road, 
of  the  Great  Northwest  and  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi. 
It  also  passes  over  and  along  the  noted  Lake  Superior  Iron 
Range,  extending  from  fourteen  to  fifty  miles  in  width, 
north  and  south,  and  over  one  hundred  miles  in  length,  east 
and  west,  and  producing,  as  proved  by  repeated  practical 
analysis,  experiment,  and  use,  the  finest  iron  in  the  world. 
A  single  known  bed  of  it,  directly  on  the  line  of  this  road, 
is  capable,  according  to  the  United  States  Geological 
Survey  and  official  Government  Report,  '  of  supplying  the 
world  for  ages. ' 

"On  the  Marquette  line,  seventeen  miles. of  road  are 
already  constructed,  and  become  our  property  by  this  con- 
solidation, with  an  ample  and  paying  business  already  at 
hand,  in  the  transportation  of  ore  and  iron  to  the  Lake  at 


148  CHICAGO,     ST.    PAUL,    AND 

Marquette.  There  are  single  sections  of  iron-ore  land, 
along  this  line,  which  could  not  be  purchased  for  $100,000. 

"  The  Ontonagon  line  passes  over  the  great  Lake  Superior 
copper  and  mining  region,  and  directly  past  the  rich  Min- 
nesota mine,  with  its  recent  wonderful  discoveries  of  im- 
mense masses  and  columns  of  solid  virgin  copper.  A 
section  of  land  covering  this  mine  has  now  a  market  value 
of  near  $1,500,000. 

"  The  Government  having  made  no  reserve  of  minerals  to 
itself,  and  as  our  line  of  road  penetrates  to  the  interior  of 
this  region,  and  opens  a  country  hitherto  (for  want  of 
roads,)  comparatively  unoccupied,  we  shall,  doubtless,  in 
locating  our  lands,  obtain,  in  addition  to  extensive  tracts 
of  fine  pine  timber-lands,  many  thousands  of  acres  of  great 
value  on  account  of  the  minerals  they  contain.  As  often 
as  every  ten  miles  along  the  entire  line,  towns  and  villages 
will  spring  up,  and  give  great  value  to  our  adjoining  lands 
for  villages  and  town  lots. 

"The  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company,  in  their  last 
report,  value  their  remaining  unsold  lands,  taking  their 
large  actual  sales  as  a  standard,  at  $13  52  per  acre,  and 
express  great  confidence  that  a  larger  price  will  be  realized. 

"  If  we  estimate  our  lands  at  the  same  rate,  as  with  all 
their  wealth  of  timber  and  minerals  we  may  safely  do,  we 
have  — 

"1,267.200  acres,  at  $13  50  per  acre,  worth  $17,107,200 

The  330  miles  of  road   to  be  constructed  by  these 

land-',  at  $25,000  per  mile,  will  cost 8,250,00C 

Leaving  a  surplus  of $S,S57,200 

"  On  this  basis  there  is  value  enough  in  these  lands,  not 
only  to  build  the  330  miles  of  road  north  of  Fond  du  Lac, 
but  to  reimburse  to  our  stockholders  their  entire  outlay  in 
building  their  road  from  Chicago  to  Fond  du  Lac. 


FOND    DU    LAC    RAILROAD.  149 

"The  company  have  ten  years'  time  in  which  to 
complete  the  line  to  Lake  Superior,  and  their  lands  are 
free  from  all  taxes  during  these  ten  years,  unless  pre- 
viously sold  by  the  company.  The  company  have  also  the 
right  of  way,  free  of  cost,  through  all  public  lands,  and  all 
lands  reserved  by  Government  in  any  manner  or  for  any 
purpose. 

"And  this  line,  when  constructed,  will  not  want  for  busi- 
ness. A  large  population  have  already  gathered  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ontonagon  and  Marquette,  and  heavy  invest- 
ments have  been  made  in  mining  the  copper  and  iron, 
which  business  is  rapidly  increasing.  Every  year  sends  a 
powerful  emigration  thither ;  and  these  emigrants,  while 
they  develop  the  country,  will  draw  their  supplies  from  the 
prairies  of  Wisconsin  and  Illinois.  As  the  mining  resources 
of  the  region  are  developed,  and  it  becomes  easily  acces- 
sible by  our  road,  this  emigration  will  increase  accordingly. 
Manufacturing  establishments  will,  of  necessity,  grow  out 
of  the  mining  operations.  The  Great  West  will  look 
mainly  to  the  Lake  Superior  district  for  its  supplies  of 
copper,  iron,  and  slate,  as  they  will  be  delivered  over  our 
road  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  at  greatly  reduced 
cost.  The  carrying  trade  of  lumber,  iron,  slate,  and 
marble,  from  our  lands  and  the  line  of  our  road  southerly, 
and  of  the  supplies  of  all  sorts  needed  upon  it  in  return, 
will  give  full  occupation  for  the  entire  capacity  of  the 
road. 

"  The  construction  of  a  railroad  from  this  extraordinary 
lumber  and  mineral  region  south,  as  a  means  of  intercourse 
with  the  important  lake  cities  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake 
Michigan  and  the  great  markets  of  the  country,  would  be 
an  attractive  investment  of  capital,  without  regard  to  the 
land  grant. 

"  Some  of  the  most  substantial  and  lucrative  roads  and 
13* 


150      CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  AND  FOND  DU  LAC  RAILROAD. 

improvements  of  the  country  have  been  constructed  ex- 
pressly for  the  accommodation  of  such  a  traffic  ;  and  there 
is  not  one  of  them  where  the  object  to  be  attained  compares, 
in  extent  and  inexhaustible  resources,  for  all  time  to  come, 
with  ours. 

"In  another  respect  this  road  will  compare  favorably 
with  other  roads'of  the  country,  viz.  :  in  cheapness  of 
cost  —  the  grades  are  easy,  the  country  favorable  for  con- 
struction, the  materials  for  ties  and  other  structures  on  the 
line  abundant,  the  right  of  way  furnished  without  cost. 

"The  company  have  also  a  charter  for  a  road  north- 
westerly from  the  above  north  and  south  line  to  St.  Louis 
River,  or  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior,  with  the  land- 
grant  privilege  attaching  to  it  —  the  whole  distance  sup- 
posed to  be  about  200  miles.  At  some  future  day,  and 
not  far  distant  either,  a  line  of  road  from  the  City  of  Supe- 
rior, south-easterly,  to  our  north  and  sou^h  line,  may  not 
only  be  demanded  by  the  wants  of  that  section,  but  be  a 
most  essential  tributary  to  our  main  line  towards  Chicago. 
In  such  event,  if  our  other  roads  to  Marquette  and  Onto- 
nagon should  then  be  completed,  it  might  be  very  important 
and  indispensable  for  the  company  to  have  the  benefit  of 
the  land-grant  along  its  line." 

The  earnings  of  this  road,  while  in  course  of  construction 
to  Janesville,  were,  for  the  first  eight  months  of  1856, 
$166,198  98.  The  road  was  opened  to  Janesville  in  Sep- 
tember, and  the  earnings  on  this  portion  of  the  line  were, 
for  the  eight  months  following,  $288,048  33;  and  for  the 
month  of  May,  185*7,  $60,168  32,  being  an  increase  over  the 
corresponding  month  of  the  preceding  year,  of  $30,655  31. 
The  connection  with  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  Road 
was  made  on  the  11th  of  May,  1857,  thus  opening  a 
through  route  to  the  Mississippi,  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and 
promising  a  very  large  increase  of  annual  receipts. 


MILWAUKEE    AND    MISSISSIPPI    It.    R.      151 
TIIE    MILWAUKEE    AND    MISSISSIPPI   RAILROAD   COMPANY. 

This  pioneer  railroad  of  "Wisconsin  is  fully  completed  to 
Prairie  du  Chien,  its  terminus  on  the  Mississippi  river,  and 
is  not  only  one  of  the  most  prosperous,  but  one  of  the  best 
conducted  roads  in  the  State.  An  immense  amount  of 
freight  and  travel  pass  over  it,  which  formerly  were  car- 
ried over  the  Illinois  roads  to  the  river.  We  annex  ex- 
tracts from  the  Report  of  its  Superintendent. 

"It  is  with  great  satisfaction  that  I  can  state  to  the 
public  generally,  that  our.  road,  with  all  its  connections 
and  arrangements  for  business  from  New  York  to  St.  Paul, 
is  in  complete  order,  and  ready  for  the  earliest  opening  of 
navigation. 

"In  the  first  place,  the  road  terminates  on  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  about  seventy  miles  above  any  other.  Now, 
if  we  consider  Chicago  as  the  starting-point,  we  can  take 
a  passenger  thence  over  the  Chicago  and  St.  Paul  Railroad 
to  Janesville,  and  thence  over  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles 
of  our  road  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  from  eight  to  ten  hours 
in  advance  of  the  route  via  Dunleith,  which  advantage  is 
sufficient,  in  my  judgment,  to  give  at  least  one  hundred  and 
thirty  miles  of  our  road  the  great  bulk  of  travel  to  North- 
ern Iowa,  Minnesota,  St.  Paul,  and  the  Upper  Mississippi 
country.  Then,  if  we  start  at  Milwaukee,  we  shall  find  our 
road  has  connection  with  Chicago,  via  Lake  Shore  Rail- 
road, and  is,  in  the  course  of  next  year,  to  have  a  connec- 
tion across  Lake  Michigan  to  Grand  Haven,  which  is  di- 
rectly east  of  Milwaukee  ;  and  thence  with  the  Detroit  and 
Milwaukee  Railroad,  with  the  New  York  Central  and  Erie 
Railroads,  and  with  the  Grand  Canada  Trunk  Railroad, 
extending  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  These  routes,  for 
at  least  nine  months  of  the  year,  are  the  shortest,  cheapest 
and  quickest,  from  the  principal  Eastern  cities  and  from 


152      MILWAUKEE    AND    MISSISSIPPI    R.    R. 

New  England,  through  the  Grand  Trunk  Railroad,  through 
Milwaukee,  and  over  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  Rail- 
road, to  the  great  Northwest. 

"  From  the  two  connections  above  mentioned,  the  Mil- 
waukee and  Mississippi  Road  is  to  receive  an  amount  of 
through  business  which  will  have  scarcely  a  parallel  in  the 
West,  and  which,  added  to  our  already  large  local  busi- 
ness, must  fully  establish  the  position  I  started  with,  that 
the  M.  and  M.  Railroad  would  be  the  best  paying  road 
west  of  Lake  Michigan." 

Lines  of  steamers  are  daily  running  in  connection  with 
this  railroad  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  the  Company 
is  rapidly  controlling  the  great  bulk  of  the  freight  and 
passenger  traffic  between  the  Upper  Mississippi  and  the 
East.  As  an  evidence  of  the  remarkable  increase  of  busi- 
ness, we  will  give  the  number  of  arrivals  at  St.  Paul  for 
the  last  seven  years. 


Year. 
'1850 

No.  of  Arrivals. 
104 

Year. 

1854 

1855 

1856 

No 

of  Arrivals 
..    310 

1851 

1852 

119 

171 

.,    563 

..   837 

1853 

During  the  year  1856,  172,052  passengers  were  trans- 
ported over  this  road,  without  the  slightest  injury  to  any 
one,  except  a  lady,  who  had  her  shoulder  injured  by  the 
breaking  of  an  axle,  which  threw  the  car  in  which  she  was 
sitting  at  the  time  off  the  track. 

The  amount  of  freight  moved  over  the  road,  for  the  past 
year,  was  :  Tonnage  going  east,  62,216;  tonnage  going 
west,  90,361;  total,  153,577.  The  aggregate  amount  of 
earnings,  for  the  same  period,  was  $680,472  48.  A  divi- 
dend of  ten  per  cent,  cash  was  paid  in  1856. 


DETROIT    AND    MILWAUKEE    R.    R. 


153 


THE   DETROIT   AND   MILWAUKEE   RAILROAD. 

The  line  of  this  railroad  is  drawn  from  Grand  Haven, 
in  the  State  of  Michigan,  and  directly  opposite  Milwaukee, 
to  Detroit,  at  the  foot  of  Lake  St.  Clair,  and  at  the  ter- 
minus of  the  Canada  and  Great  Western  Railway  ;  branch- 
ing from  it  at  Owasso  or  Flint,  directly  east  to  Port  Lamia, 
the  terminus  of  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway  from  Montreal, 
Toronto,  and  London,  in  Canada — making  an  air  line  from 
Milwaukee  to  the  starting-point  of  the  three  great  Atlantic 
roads  —  the  Grand  Trunk,  the  New  York  Central,  and  the 
New  York  and  Erie. 

As  the  shortest  possible  connecting  link  between  the  ter- 
mini of  the  diverging  roads  from  Milwaukee  to  the  differ- 
ent points  of  the  great  Northwest,  it  is  justly  considered 
one  of  the  most  important  to  the  State  of  any  of  the  roads 
outside  of  its  limits.  The  annexed  table  of  distances 
and  passenger  fares  by  different  routes,  will  show  the  ad- 
vantages of  this  route,  in  point  of  economy  and  expedition, 
over  all  other  means  of  communication  between  the  Eastern 
States  and  the  principal  points  of  importance  in  the 
Northwest. 

Table  of  Distances,  &c. 


FROM  NEW  TOKK  TO 

BY  WHAT  ROUTE. 

MILES. 

AMT. 

TIME. 

Milwaukee,  via  Do 
"            "    Mi 

roit  and  Milwaukee  Railway 

942 

1048 
1078 
1051 
1000 
1142 
1251 
1292 
1439 
1436 

$20-20 
23-98 
24-73 
23-97 

25-20 

28-97 
26-70 
29-17 
29-18 

47-51 
52-24 
53-24 
52-33 

57-51 
62-33 
72-51 
Sii:>7 
86-48 

"            "    Bu 

a            «    N- 

«            «    Pe 

Prairie  La  Crosse,  v 

St.  Faul,  via  Detro 

ffalo  and  Michigan  Southern  Railroad.. 
York  and  Erie  and  Michigan  Southern 
nn.  Central  and  Detroit  and  Milwaukee 
ia  Detroit  and  Milwaukee  Railroad 
'    N.  York  and  Erie  and  Mich.  Southern 
t  and  Milwaukee  Railway 

"         "    N.  Y. 
"         «    Michi 

and  Erie  and  Mich.  Southern  Railroad 

The  business  prospects  of  the  Detroit  and  Milwaukee 
Road  are  very  flattering.     They  have  carried  over  their 


154  MILWAUKEE    AND    HORICON    R.    R. 

line,  in  the  last  six  months,  over  129,000  local  passengers, 
and  their  receipts  have,  in  the  same  time,  amounted  to 
$143,342.  At  this  rate  they  will  have,  per  annum,  for 
local  traffic,  over  $680,000.  A  few  years  will  make  a  vast 
increase  of  their  business,  both  local  and  through.  This 
Company  lately  received  from  Government  over  one  hun- 
dred thousand  acres  of  land,  which  ought  to  produce  at 
least  one  million  of  dollars. 


THE   MILWAUKEE   AND    HORICON    RAILROAD. 

This  road  runs  from  Milwaukee  northwest  (N.  45°  W.) 
to  the  City  of  Superior,  325  miles,  passing  through,  on  its 
route,  Horicon,  Waupum,  Ripon,  Berlin,  and  Stevens' 
Point,  and  the  whole  line  presents  no  material  deviation 
from  an  air  line.  It  is  proper  to  remark  here,  that  the 
charter  of  the  La  Crosse  Road  and  the  Milwaukee  and 
Horicon,  occupies  the  same  ground  between  Milwaukee 
and  Horicon,  51  miles,  and  an  arrangement  was  made  be- 
tween these  companies,  under  a  contract  running  twenty 
years  from  the  time  of  opening  the  Milwaukee  and  Horicon 
Road  beyond  Horicon.  This  road  is  now  finished  to 
Berlin,  92  miles  from  Milwaukee,  and  is  being  hurried  for- 
ward without  delay.  It  connects,  at  this  point,  with  the 
Valley  Road,  already  built  to  Fond  du  Lac,  and  at  Ripon 
with  the  Winnebago,  extending  to  Oshkosh,  and  the  Ripon 
and  Wolf  River  Road,  besides  other  important  connections, 
building  by  separate  companies.  It  will  be  perceived  that 
the  Milwaukee  and  Horicon  Railroad  occupies  the  position 
of  a  grand  trunk  line,  extending  diagonally  through  the 
middle  of  the  State  from  the  southeast  to  the  northwest. 
At  the  City  of  Superior,  it  will  connect  with  the  contem- 
plated Northern  Pacific  Railroad,  and  will  form  the  air 
line  from  it  to  Milwaukee. 


MILWAUKEE    AND    BELOIT    R.    R.  155 

The  total  amount  of  tonnage  passing  over  this  road,  for 
ten  months  of  1856,  was  25,655,  and  27,400  passengers. 
This  is  a  very  encouraging  prospect,  when  it  is  considered 
that  but  17  j8o4o  mih3S  were  in  operation  for  this  period. 

GREEN  BAY,  MILWAUKEE,  AND  CHICAGO  RAILROAD. 

This  Company  was  organized  in  1852,  and  the  road  com- 
pleted between  Milwaukee  and  Chicago  in  1855.  It  runs 
along  the  Lake  Shore  from  Milwaukee  to  the  State  line, 
a  distance  of  40  miles,  connecting  there  with  the  Chicago 
road.  It  is  commonly  called  the  "Wisconsin  Lake  Shore 
Road,  and  during  the  close  of  navigation  (about  three 
months  every  year),  it  is  the  only  means  of  connection,  for 
passengers  and  freight  business,  with  the  great  Eastern 
and  Southern  routes,  and  must  prove  one  of  the  best  roads 
in  the  United  States.  As  a  passenger  road,  it  is  one  of 
the  best  in  the  West  —  running  its  trains  with  great  regu- 
larity and  precision  during  aU  seasons  of  the  year.  It  was 
only  in  operation  seven  months  of  the  year  1855,  and  there- 
fore the  comparative  business  is  only  given  for  that  period 
for  the  two  past  years. 

1856. 

Number  of  through  passengers,  both  ways 9S,553 

"        "   wuy  "  "         "    81,277 

Earnings  for  the  year  1856 $221,936-56 

Last  seven  months  of  1855 $36,409-65 

Last  seven  months  of  1856 136,610-38 

Excess  for  1856 $50,200-73 

MILWAUKEE   AND   BELOIT   RAILROAD. 

This  road  leads  from  Milwaukee,  in  a  southwesterly  di- 
rection, to  Elkhorn  and  Delavan,  a  distance  of  49  miles, 
where  it  will  shortly  intersect  with  the  Racine  and  Missis- 


156         MILWAUKEE    AND    SUPERIOR    R.     R. 

sippi  Railroad,  thereby  forming  a  direct  line  to  Savannah, 
on  the  Mississippi  river.  It  passes'  through  a  section  of 
country  which,  for  fertility  and  agricultural  productions, 
cannot  be  surpassed  in  the  West. 

FOX   RIVER   VALLEY   RAILROAD. 

This  Company  was  chartered  in  1853,  with  the  right  to 
construct  a  railroad  from  the  south  line  of  the  State  of 
Wisconsin  to  Milwaukee,  a  distance  of  43  miles.  The 
entire  route  has  been  surveyed,  and  about  one-third  of  it 
completed.  Its  location  is  very  favorable,  passing  through 
one  of  the  richest  and  most  densely  populated  portions  of 
Wisconsin,  besides  forming  several  important  connections 
with  other  railroads. 


THE   RACINE   AND   MISSISSIPPI   RAILROAD. 

This  road  runs  from  the  city  of  Racine  to  Savanna,  on 
the  Mississippi  river,  a  distance  of  136  miles.  Having 
an  eastern  terminus  at  Racine,  and  a  belt  of  rich  and  well- 
settled  country,  eighteen  miles  wide,  the  whole  length  of 
the  road,  wholly  dependent  upon  it  for  the  transportation 
of  its  produce  to  a  good  market ;  it  commands  every  ad- 
vantage upon  which  the  success  of  such  projects  usually 
depend. 

MILWAUKEE  AND   SUPERIOR  RAILROAD. 

This  enterprise  is  in  the  hands  of  a  Company  organized 
under  a  charter  obtained  in  March  last.  The  route  of  the 
proposed  road,  under  its  charter,  extends  from  Milwaukee, 
by  way  of  the  lake  shore  towns,  to  Green  Bay,  and  thence 
to  the  City  of  Superior,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Superior  — 
covering  a  distance  of  about  four  hundred  miles.  It  is  the 
extension  northward  of  the  line  of  lake  shore  roads,  now 


DISTANCES    BY    RAILROAD, 


157 


completed  from  Buffalo  to  Milwaukee.  The  Company  is 
entitled  to  receive  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  of  the 
bonds  of  that  city,  besides  numerous  private  subscriptions, 
&c,  in  various  counties  along  their  route.  It  is  their  inten- 
tion to  complete  the  road  to  Sheboygan  in  1858.  Be- 
tween Milwaukee  and  Green  Bay  it  can  have  no  rival  road 
within  forty  miles  ;  and,  were  its  operations  confined  only 
to  the  local  business,  it  could  not  fail  to  be  a  profitable 
investment.  But  it  reaches  further  ;  iutersects  the  Chicago, 
St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac  Road,  leading  to  the  mining 
districts  of  Ontonagon  and  Marquette,  and  traverses  the 
richest  mineral  region  in  Northern  Wisconsin,  to  the  great 
city  of  Lake  Superior. 

DISTANCES   BY   RAILROAD. 

Railroad  distances  by  the  various  lines,  diverging  from 
Milwaukee  throughout  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 


Jllihcaufcee  and  3fississi2>pi  Hail- 
road. 

MILES. 

From  Milwaukee  to 

Wauwautosa 5 

Side  Track 12 

Junction  14 

Forest  House 17 

Waukesha 20 

Genesee 28 

Eagle 36 

Palmyra 42 

Whitewater 50 

Childs'  Station 55 

Milton 62 

Janesville 70 

Edgerton 72 

Stoughton 82 

Madison 98 

Blackearth 122 

Arena 128 

Avoca 148 

Muscoda 158 

Boscabel 168 

Prairie  du  Chien 195 

14 


La    Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Jiail- 
road. 

MILES. 

From  Milwaukee  to 

Schwartzburg  7 

Granville 13 

German  town 18 

Richfield  23 

Cedar  Creek 28 

Schleisinger 30 

Hartford 34 

Rubicon 39 

Woodland 43 

Iron  Ridge 45 

Horicon 51 

Junction 54 

Oak  Grove 56 

Beaver  Dam 61 

Fox  Lake 68 

Portage  Prairie 73 

Cambria 77 

Pardee  ville 87 

Portage  City 95 

New  Lisbon 140 

La  Crosse 196 


158 


DISTANCES    BY    RAILROAD, 


Watertown  Division. 

MILES. 

From  Milwaukee  to 

Wauwautosa •> 

Elm  Grove " 

Junction  1* 

Pewaukee 20 

Hartland  24 

Pine  Lake 27 

Oconomococ 33 

Ixonia 38 

Watertown 45 

Lowell 64 

Columbus 64 

Northwestern  Division. 

From  Milwaukee  to 

Portage  City 95 

St.  Croix  River 323 

St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Rail- 
road. 

From  Milwaukee  to 

St.  Croix  River 323 

Falls  of  St.  Croix 353 

Gordon 388 

Nashodana  400 

City  of  Superior 460 

Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac 
Railroad. 

From  Chicago  to 

Junction 2 

Jefferson 9 

Canfield 12 

Des  Plaines 16 

Dunton 23 

Palatine 27 

Barrington 32 

Cary 38 

Crystal  Lake 43 

Ridgeficld 45 

Woodstock 51 

Harvard •  62 

Lawrence 65 

Sharon 71 

Clinton  Junction 78 

Shopiere 83 

Junesville 91 


"MILES. 

La  Crosse  Junction 

Burnet 95 

Chester  107 

Oakfleld 116 

Fond  du  Lac 124 

Milwaukee  and  Horicon  Railroad. 

From  Milwaukee  to 

Schwartzburg 7 

Granville 13 

Germantown 18 

Richfield 23 

Cedar  Creek 28 

Schleisinger 30 

Hartford 34 

Rubicon  39 

Woodland 43 

Iron  Ridge 45 

Horicon 51 

Burnett 56 

Mill  Creek 62 

Waupun ••••  66 

Brandon 74 

Reed's  Corners 77 

Ripon 81 

Berlin 92 

Stevens'  Point 142 

Chicago  and  Milwaukee  Railroad 

From  Chicago  to 

Chittenden 7 

Evanston  12 

Wynetka 16 

Glencoe 19 

Highland  Park 23 

Rockland  30 

Waukegan 35 

State  Line 45 

Kenosha 51 

Racine 62 

County  Line 70 

Oak  Creek 75 

Milwaukee 85 

Racine  and  Mississippi  Railroad. 

From  Racine  to 

Junction 2 

Windsor 10 

Union  Grove 14 


RIVER    DISTANCES. 


159 


MILES. 

Kansasville 18 

Dover 20 

Burlington 26 

Lyonsdale 30 

Springfield 33 

Elkhorn 40 

Delavan 46 

Darien  50 

Allen's  Grove 53 

Clinton 68 

Beloit 68 

Rockfout  72 

Fkeeport 101 

Savajjnah 136 

Detroit  and  Milwaukee  Railroad. 

From  Detroit  to 

D.  M.  &  T.  R.  R.  Junction..  3 

Royal  Oak 12 

Birmingham 18 


MILES. 

Pontine  25 

Drayton  Plains 31 

Waterford 33 

Clarkson 35 

Springfield 39 

Davisburg 42 

Holly 47 

Fentonville 52 

Linden 57 

Gaines 62 

Vernon 70 

Corunna 77 

Owosso 80 

Ovid 90 

St,  Johns 100 

Ionia 120 

Lowell 

Ada 

Grand  Rapids 

Grand  Haven 170 

Milwaukee,  by  steamboats...  251 


RIVER    DISTANCES. 


Table  of  distances  from  St.  Louis,  via  Mississippi  and 
St.  Louis  rivers,  to  the  City  of  Superior. 


MILES. 

From  St.  Louis  to 

Missouri  River 18 

Alton 3  21 

Grafton  18  39 

Illinois  River 2  41 

Gilead 32  73 

Hamburg 10  83 

Clarksville 13  96 

Louisiana 11  107 

Hannibal 25  132 

Quincy 18  150 

La  Grange 10  160 

Tully 7  167 

Tya,TrW         TV        1  17  184 

Des  Moines  River  J 

Keokuk 4  188 

Montrose    I    12  200 

Nauvoo       J 

Madison 10  210 

Buklington 20  230 


MILES. 

Oquawka 17  247 

New  Boston 19  266 

Iowa  River 1267 

Muscatine 25  292 

Fairport 7  299 

Andalusia 10  309 

Rock  Island  )   g  m 

Davenport      J 

Hampton  11  329 

Parkhurst 8  337 

Albany 19  356 

Lyons 9  365 

Charleston 15  3S0 

Savannah 2  382 

Belleview 19  401 

Fever  River  (to  Galena  6 

miles) 7  408 

Dibiqie 24  432 

Dunleith 1  433 

Potofii  Landing 14  447 


160 


LAKE    DISTANCES. 


MILES. 

Waupaton 10  457 

Buena  Vista 5  462 

Cassville 4  466 

Guttenburg 10  476 

Clayton 12  488 

Wyalusing 5  493 

McGregor's 6  499 

Prairie  du  Chien 4  503 

Red  House 5  508 

Johnson's  Landing 2  510 

Lafayette 30  540 

Columbus 2  542 

Lansing 1   513 

De  Soto 6  549 

Victory 10  559 

Bad  Axe  City 10  569 

Warner's  Landing 6  575 

Brownsville 10  585 

La  Crosse 12  597 

Dacotah 12  609 

Richmond 6  615 

Monteville 5  620 

Homer 10  630 

"Winona 7  C37 

Fountain  City 12  649 

Mount  Vernon 14  663 

Minneiska  4  667 

Alma  15  682 

Wabashaw 10  692 

Nelson's  Landing 3  695 

Reed's  Landing 2  697 

Foot  of  Lake  Pepin 2  699 

North  Pepin 6  705 

Johnstown 2  707 

Lake  City 5  712 

Central  Point 2  714 

Florence 3  717 


MILES. 

Maiden's  Rock 3  720 

Westerville 3  723 

Wacouta 12  735 

Red  Wing 6  741 

Thing's  Landing 7  748 

Diamond  Bluff 8  756 

Prescott 13  769 

Point  Douglas 1  770 

Hastings 3  773 

Grey  Cloud 12  785 

Pine  Bend 4  789 

Red  Rock 8  797 

Kaposia 3  800 

St.  Paul 5  805 

St.  Anthony 9  814 

Rice  Creek 7  821 

St.  Francis  or  Rum  River   9  830 

Itasca 7  837 

Elk  River 6  843 

Big  Lake 10  853 

Big  Meadow  (Sturgis)...  18  871 

St.  Cloud  (Sauk  Rapids)  10  881 

Watab 6  887 

Little  Rock 2  889 

Platte  River 12  901 

Swan  River 10  911 

Little  Falls 3  914 

Belle  Prairie 5  919 

Fort  Ripley 10  929 

Crow  Wing  River 6  935 

Sandy  Lake 120  1055 

Savannah  Portage 15  1070 

Across  the  Portage 5  1075 

Down  Savannah  to  St. 

Louis  20  1095 

Fond  du  Lac 60  1155 

City  of  Superior 22  1179 


LAKE  DISTANCES 


Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  Lake  Su- 
perior Line. 

MILES. 

From  Chicago  to 

Milwaukee 90     90 

Sheboygan 50  140 

Manitowoc 25  165 

Two  Rivers «.  7   172 


MILES. 

Manito  Island 112  2S4 

Mackinaw 90  374 

S.  St.  Marie 90  464 

Marquette  170  634 

Cop's  Harbor 80  714 

Eagle  Harbor 16  730 

Eagle  River 9  739 

Ontonagon 65  804 


LAKE    DISTANCES. 


161 


nin.ES. 

La  Pointe 80  884 

City  of  Superior 80  964 

The  Lady  Elgin,  on  this  line,  is 
of  1037  tons  burthen,  and  cannot  be 
surpassed  by  any  steamer  floating 
the  Western  waters,  in  point  of 
speed,  comfort,  <fec. 

Cleveland,  Detroit,  and  Lake  Supe- 
rior Line. 

From  Cleveland  to 

Detroit 130  130 

Fort  Gratiot 70  200 


MILES. 

Pointe  au  Barques 85  285 

Thunder  Bay 70  355 

Presque  Island 80  430 

Sault  St.  Marie 100  530 

Marquette  170  700 

Cope  Harbor 80  780 

Eagle  Harbor 16  796 

Eagle  River 9  805 

Ontonagon 65  870 

La  Pointe 80  950 

Superior 80  1030 

The  Iron  City  and  Dacotah  propel- 
lers are  new,  and  among  the  best 
boats  on  the  Lake. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

PUBLIC   LANDS  —  PRE-EMPTION   LAW — ADVICE  TO    SETTLEES 
— EXTRACTS   FROM    THE   PRESS,    ETC. 

In  the  preceding  pages  we  described  the  various  resources 
of  this,  the  Empire  State  of  the  Northwest ;  and  will  now 
give  some  account  of  the  public  lands  within  its  limits, 
and  an  abstract  of  the  pre-emption  law,  for  the  benefit 
of  those  desirous  of  availing  themselves  of  its  privileges. 
This  law  has,  since  the  date  of  its  passage,  been  one  con- 
tinuous source  of  benefit  to  the  West.  It  is  the  best  pro- 
tection ever  devised  for  the  poor  and  industrious  man 
against  the  speculator  and  the  capitalist. 

The  public  lands  of  the  United  States  are  that  immense 
body  of  unappropriated  and  unsettled  lands,  commonly 
called  Government  lands,  which  have  been  acquired  at 
various  periods,  both  by  treaty  and  purchase ;  and,  in  all 
action  upon  them,  both  by  individuals  and  by  public  bodies, 
legislative  or  judicial,  are  treated  as  the  property  of  the 
Government.  President  Buchanan,  in  his  Inaugural  Ad- 
dress, truly  says  :  "  No  nation,  in  the  tide  of  time,  has  ever 
been  blessed  with  so  rich  and  noble  an  inheritance  as  we 
enjoy  in  the  public  lands.  In  administering  this  important 
trust,  whilst  it  may  be  wise  to  grant  portions  of  them  for 
the  improvement  of  the  remainder,  yet  we  should  never 
forget  that  it  is  our  cardinal  policy  to  reserve  these  lands, 
as  much  as  may  be,  for  actual  settlers,  and  this  at  moderate 
prices      We  shall  thus  not  only  best  promote  the  pros- 

(162) 


PUBLIC    LANDS.  163 

perity  of  the  new  States,  by  furnishing  them  a  hardy  and 
independent  race  of  honest  and  industrious  citizens,  but 
shall  secure  homes  for  our  children,  and  our  children's 
children,  as  well  as  for  those  exiled  from  foreign  shores, 
who  may  seek  in  this  country  to  improve  their  condition, 
and  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
Such  emigrants  have  done  much  to  promote  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  the  country.  They  have  proved  faithful, 
both  in  peace  and  in  war.  After  becoming  citizens,  they 
are  entitled,  under  the  Constitution  and  laws,  to  be  placed 
on  a  perfect  equality  with  the  native-born  citizens,  and  in 
this  character  they  should  ever  be  kindly  recognised." 

The  present  system  of  public  surveys  is  a  complete  ad-- 
measurement  and  marking  of  the  whole  body  of  public 
lands,  and  is  very  easy  of  comprehension.  The  land  is 
first  measured  and  marked  in  township  lines,  which  are 
divisions  of  six  miles  square.  Afterwards  the  township  is 
divided  into  sections  of  one  mile  square,  each  section  being 
marked  by  "  blazing"  a  tree,  as  the  technical  phrase  is  for 
barking  it  with  an  axe ;  or,  if  the  corner  to  be  marked  is  in 
the  prairie,  by  driving  a  stake,  and  throwing  up  a  sod, 
noting  at  the  same  time,  on  the  tree  or  the  stake,  the 
number  of  the  township  and  section.  The  townships  are 
numbered  from  south  to  north  on  a  base  line,  and  the  north 
and  south  ranges  are  numbered  on  both  sides  of  an  arbi- 
trary meridian,  east  and  west.  The  meridian  lines  are 
established  and  surveyed  from  some  important  point,  gene- 
rally from  the  junction  of  some  water-course.  The  "fourth" 
principal  meridian  commences  on  the  Illinois  River,  at  a 
point  seventy-two  miles  due  north  from  its  mouth ;  (here 
also  commences  its  base  line,  which  runs  due  west  to  the 
Mississippi  River).  This  meridian  continues  north  through 
the  State  of  Wisconsin.  The  sections  are  numbered, 
beginning  at  the  northeast  section  of  the  township  for 


164 


PRE-EMPTION    LAW. 


number  one,  running  west,  and  alternately  east,  terminating 
with  number  thirty-six  in  the  southeast  corner.  Section 
numbered  sixteen  in  each  township  is  appropriated  to 
schools,  and  transferred  to  the  States  for  that  purpose. 
The  following  diagram  will  serve  to  illustrate  : 


6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

12 

1 

8 

9 

10 

11 

18 

It 

16 

15 

14 

13 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

30 

29 

28 

21 

26 

25 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

36 

— i 

Those  lands  not  entered  under  the  pre-emption  law  are 
offered  at  sale,  previous  to  which,  no  person,  except  having 
a  pre-emptive  right,  can  purchase.  After  they  have  been 
offered  at  public  sale,  they  are  open  to  every  purchaser  at 
private  sale.  The  price  of  all  the  lands  is  fixed  at  a  uni- 
form minimum  of  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre,  except 
those  specified  in  the  late  land-grants. 


THE   PRE-EMPTION   LAW. 

The  following  abstract  of  the  pre-emption  law  will 
prove  of  interest  to  such  as  design  to  avail  themselves  of 
its  provisions  : 

1.  The  settler  must  never  before  have  had  the  benefit 
of  pre-empting  under  the  act. 

2. .  He  must  not,  at  the  time  of  making  the  pre-emp- 


PRE-EMPTION    LAW.  165 

tion,  be  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land  in  any  State  or  Territory  in  the  United  States. 

3.  He  must  settle  upon  and  improve  the  land  in  good 
faith,  for  his  own  exclusive  use  or  benefit,  and  not  with  the 
intention  of  selling  it  on  speculation  ;  and  must  not  make, 
directly  or  indirectly,  any  contract  or  agreement,  in  any 
way  or  manner,  with  any  person  or  persons,  by  which  the 
title  which  he  may  acquire  from  the  United  States  should 
enure,  in  whole  or  part,  to  the  benefit  of  any  person  except 
himself. 

4.  He  must  be  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States  ;  or,  if  a  foreigner,  must  have  declared 
his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  before  the  proper  autho- 
rity, and  received  a  certificate  to  that  effect. 

5.  He  must  build  a  house  on  the  land,  live  in  it,  and 
make  it  his  exclusive  home,  and  must  be  an  inhabitant  of 
the  same  at  the  time  of  making  application  for  pre-emption. 
[Until  lately,  a  single  man  might  board  with  his  nearest 
neighbor;  but  the  same  is  now  required  of  single  as  mar- 
ried men,  except  that,  if  married,  the  family  of  the  settler 
must  also  live  in  the  house.] 

6.  The  law  requires  that  more  or  less  improvements 
be  made  on  the  land,  such  as  breaking,  fencing,  &c,  but 
pre-emptions  are  granted  where  a  half-acre  is  broken  and 
enclosed. 

T.  It  is  necessary  that  no  other  person,  entitled  to  the 
right  of  pre-emption,  shall  reside  on  the  land  at  the  same 
time. 

8.  No  person  is  permitted  to  remove  from  his  own 
land,  and  make  a  pre-emption  in  the  same  State  or  Ter- 
ritory. 

9.  The  settler  is  required  to  bring  with  him  to  the 
land-office  a  written  or  printed  application,  setting  forth 
the  facts  in  his  case  as  to  the  1st,  2d,  and  3d  requirements 


166  LAND    GRANT,    AND    PRE-EMPTION. 

here  mentioned,  with  a  certificate  appended,  to  be  signed 
by  the  Register  and  Receiver,  and  make  affidavit  to  the 
same. 

10.  He  is  also  required  to  bring  with  him  a  respect- 
able  witness  of  his  acquaintance,  who  is  knowing  to  the 
facts  of  his  settlement,  to  make  affidavit  to  the  4th,  5th,  6th, 
7  th,  and  8th  requirements  here  mentioned,  with  the  same 
set  forth  on  paper,  with  a  corresponding  blank  certificate 
attached,  to  be  signed  by  the  land-officers. 

11.  The  pre-emptor,  if  a  foreigner,  must  bring  with 
him  to  the  land-office,  duplicates  of  his  naturalization 
papers,  duly  signed  by  the  official  from  whom  they  were 
received. 

A  minor  who  is  the  head  of  a  family,  or  a  widow,  may 
also  pre-empt  —  their  families  being  required  to  live  on  the 
land. 

The  settler  is  required  to  file  a  written  declaratory 
statement  of  his  intention  to  pre-empt,  before  he  can  pro- 
ceed with  his  pre-emption. 

Fees. — 1st.  The  fee  required  by  the  Register  for  filing 
a  declaratory  statement,  is  one  dollar. 

2d.  For  granting  a  pre-emption,  the  Register  and  Re- 
ceiver can  receive  fifty  cents. 

3d.  For  duplicate  of  the  map  of  any  township,  one  dollar 
is  required  by  the  Register." 

LAND   GRANT  —  EFFECT   UPON   PRE-EMPTIONS. 

"We  assure  all  our  readers,  that  the  closing  of  the  land- 
offices  need  deter  no  one  from  immigrating  to  Wisconsin, 
and  none  there  from  making  claims.  The  Bailroad  Grant, 
in  its  terms,  respects  all  pre-emptions  made  up-to  the  time 
the  roads  are  actually  located.  After  the  location,  pre- 
emptors  are  excluded  from  pre-empting  odd-numbered 
sections  only,  within  six  miles  of  either  side  of  the  roads 


UNSURVEYED    LANDS  —  LAND-OFFICES.       1G7 

as  located;  but  the  Government  price  for  all  lands  within 
six  miles  of  the  railroads,  is  $2  50  per  acre.  If  they  wish 
to  go  further  off  than  six  miles  from  the  proposed  railroad 
lines,  then  the  price  of  the  lands  will  be  $1  25  per  acre. 

The  closing  of  the  land-offices  is  a  real  benefit  to  the 
settler,  by  preventing  speculators  (the  bane  of  all  new 
States,)  from  taking  up  all  the  public  lands  along  the  line 
of  the  proposed  roads. 

UNSURVEYED   LANDS. 

Besides  the  lands  which  have  been  surveyed  and  brought 
into  market,  there  are  large  tracts  yet  unsurveyed,  and 
almost  unexplored.  The  amount  of  these  lands  is  esti- 
mated at  about  14,500  square  miles;  principally  lying  in 
the  northwestern  part  of  the  State,  and  almost  without 
inhabitants.  The  soil  of  this  region  is  of  an  excellent 
quality,  &c. ' 

LAND-OFFICES. 

There  are  six  land-offices  in  Wisconsin,  each  of  which 
represents  several  counties,  viz. :  Mineral  Point,  Manasha, 
Hudson,  Stevens'  Point,  La  Crosse,  and  City  of  Superior. 
At  either  of  these  offices,  settlers  will  be  furnished  with 
small  township  maps,  showing  all  the  vacant  or  unentered 
lands,  up  to  the  date  of  application. 

The  right  of  pre-emption  gives  to  Wisconsin  an  advan- 
tage over  other  Western  States,  for  it  precludes  entirely 
the  possibility  of  its  becoming,  as  are  the  States  of  Illinois 
and  Iowa,  a  country  of  speculators,  who  feel  no  interest  in 
them,  except  that  of  having  their  lands  increase  in  value, 
as  the  result  of  the  public  spirit  and  enterprise  of  others. 

There  are  still  thousands  of  persons  at  the  East,  farmers, 
mechanics,    artisans,    working-people,    who    look   toward 

1  See  Pages  40  and  42. 


168  EXTRACTS    FROM    THE    PRESS. 

"Wisconsin  with  a  disposition  to  emigrate  —  perhaps  they 
mete  out  from  year  to  year  a  bare  subsistence  —  the  year 
rolls  by,  and  if  they  have  enjoyed  the  right  to  labor  during 
the  bulk  of  it,  they  have  accumulated  but  little  ;  and  when 
we  look  back  at  the  condition  of  things  a  winter  or  two 
ago,  in  the  large  cities,  when  the  most  hard-working, 
honest,  proud-spirited  mechanics  were  straitened  for  want 
of  the  means  of  keeping  themselves  and  their  little  ones 
from  starvation,  we  cannot  help  wondering  why  more 
of  them  do  not  come  to  this  favored  State.  And  who  can 
tell  when  these  things  will  occur  again  ?  Neither  honesty, 
industry,  nor  capability,  are  a  protection  when  there  is  no 
work.  The  very  men  who  have  barely  enough  to  eke  out 
a  miserable  subsistence  in  the  cities,  could  command  in 
Wisconsin,,  through  the  whole  winter,  from  $2  50  to  $3  00 
per  day,  and  be  sought  after  gladly,  and  begged  to  work. 
What,  too,  would  be  their  opportunities,  rising  in  a  new 
country ;  at  home  among  people  like  themselves ;  their 
children  imbibing  health  and  happiness  from  the  air  they 
breathed,  instead  of  disease  and  crime ;  they  themselves 
known  and  respected  according  to  their  deserts  ;  and  pos- 
sessing the  many  advantages  for  a  rapid  accumulation  of 
fortune,  known  only  to  a  new  country  1  Who  would  ask 
to  exchange  such  a  pure,  free  life,  for  the  crowded  miseries 
of  the  Eastern  cities,  their  uncertainty  of  employment,  and 
the  few  rugged,  scrambling  roads  by  which  the  poor  can 
rise  1  Surely  no  sensible  man  would  hesitate  long  as  to  his 
choice. 

"  The  working-man  in  Wisconsin  need  never  be  idle,  and 
it  is  pre-eminently  the  place  for  working-people  ;  the  whole 
country  is  in  a  state  of  transition,  rapidly  going  on.  What 
has  been  done  at  the  East,  has  yet  to  be  done  here ;  the 
numerous  channels  of  business,  into  which  it  requires  years 
to  attain  a  successful  position  there,  are  either  just  opened 


EXTRACTS    FROM    THE    PRESS.  169 

to  enterprise  in  this  State,  or  await,  perhaps,  another  year's 
agricultural  settlement,  as  we  chance  to  look  at  a  point 
just  bursting  into  notice,  or  another  with  a  few  years  the 
advantage  —  hence,  the  newly-arrived  mechanic,  artisan,  or 
manufacturer  asks  himself,  not,  Where  can  I  find  an  open- 
ing ?  but,  Which  is  the  best  ?" 

The  Emigi'ant's  Journal  says:  "We  do  know  that  the 
Beneficent  Creator  of  all  things,  in  his  sovereign  benevo- 
lence, has  thrown  wide  to  humanity  millions  upon  millions 
of  untilled  acres  in  the  Great  West,  that  lie  there  waiting 
for  hands  to  cover  them  with  harvests.  And  we  also  know 
that,  in  the  crowded  cities  of  our  own  land,  and  in  the 
crowded  States  of  Europe,  thousands  on  thousands  of  our 
fellow-beings  are  toiling  through  life  to  obtain  a  miserable 
subsistence,  who,  on  those  broad  acres,  would  soon  find 
ease,  and  comfort,  and  affluence.  Now,  to  assist  that  emi- 
gration, seems  to  us  one  of  the  noblest  works  to  which  man 
could  devote  himself.  To  illustrate  our  purpose,  let  us 
stop  at  this  corner  of  a  great  city,  and  see  the  population 
set  past  us.  It  is  sunset.  Note  that  poor  laborer ;  he 
comes  from  a  hard  day's  work.  From  morning  to  night 
that  man's  muscles  have  been  going.  The  miserable  pit- 
tance he  receives  is  scarce  enough  to  keep  his  wife  and 
children  in  food  and  lodging.  The  benefit  of  all  his  toil 
goes  to  some  one  —  not  to  himself. 

"Imagine  that  man  set  upon  his  own  land,  the  plough 
in  his  grasp,  and  his  fortune  before  him.  Where,  then, 
would  be  the  result  of  his  labor?  House,  ploughed  land, 
fences,  barns,  would  grow  under  his  hand  with  half  the 
labor  he  now  gives  to  procure  a  living,  and  every  day's 
work  would  be  for  himself,  and  would  add  to  his  own  per- 
sonal wealth.  The  heavens  would  smile  above  him,  the 
great  earth  would  yield  him  her  fruits ;  and  he  would  leave 
15 


170  EXTRACTS    FROM    THE    PRESS. 

his  children  —  instead  of  sickness,  sin,  and  poverty — health, 
happiness,  and  prosperity." 

Another  journal  forcibly  remarks  :  "We  say,  then,  to 
the  mechanic,  pent  up  in  dense,  suffocating  cities,  or 
crowded  towns,  toiling  at  the  selfish  dictation  of  arrogant 
employers,  who  derive  at  least  three-fourths  of  the  profits 
of  your  labor  —  to  such  I  say,  Come  to  the  fresh  and  fruit- 
ful West,  where  you  may  easily  have  an  independent  and 
pleasant  home. 

"To  the  young  farmer,  who  works  the  long  hot  days 
for  the  paltry  sum  of  ten  or  a  dozen  dollars  per  month,  or 
to  him  who  rents  land,  returning  to  others  the  'lion's 
share'  of  all  the  products  of  his  industry — to  all  who  would 
better  their  condition  and  regain  new  energies,  unto  such 
I  say,  confidently  and  in  a  lively  friendship,  Come,  and  ap- 
propriate to  yourselves  any  necessary  and  proper  amount 
of  these  gardens,  boundless  and  beautiful,  which  you  can, 
so  many  of  you,  easily  do. 

"  They  will  return  you  a  greater  yield  of  crops,  for  less 
labor,  and  then  you  can  obtain  prices  but  little  under 
Eastern  markets  ;  transportation  is  so  cheap  and  speedy, 
which  renders  these  Western  lands  as  valuable  as  those  of 
the  East." 

An  intelligent  writer  in  the  New  York  Herald  says  :  — 
"  Having  visited  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Iowa,  Illinois,  and 
Wisconsin,  I  can  speak  from  knowledge  and  experience  in 
regard  to  their  present  and  future.  I  am  desirous  of 
stating,  through  your  columns,  my  opinion  as  to  which  of 
these  Territories  or  States,  emigrants,  particularly  those 
of  the  Northern  States,  and  who  are  practical  farmers,  will, 
taking  all  the  circumstances  into  consideration,  find  it  most 
to  their  advantage  to  settle  in.  Wisconsin  is  my  choice, 
for  the  following  reasons  :  First,  good  water,  a  healthy 
climate,  plenty  of  wood,  all  kinds  of  grain  and  fruit  grow 


GENERAL    REMARKS.  lfl 

in  abundance,  an  intelligent  population,  railroads  travers- 
ing every  part  of  the  State,  and  a  home  market  at  almost 
every  door.  It  is  interspersed  with  lakes  and  streams,  and 
abounding  with  fish  and  game.  The  time  is  not  far  distant 
which  will  witness  the  value  of  all  the  middle  portion  of 
that  State  at  fifty  dollars  and  upwards  for  an  acre.  The 
pineries  are  supposed  to  be  less  in  value  than  the  prairie 
and  oak  openings.  This  is  not  so  at  present.  There  are 
lands  there  now  that  cannot  be  purchased  for  two  hundred 
dollars  per  acre.  There  are  now  more  than  three  thousand 
shingle-makers,  lumbermen,  and  others,  in  these  dense 
forests ;  and  if  a  shingle-maker,  with  his  machine,  cannot 
make  twenty  dollars  per  day,  and  drink  his  quart  of 
whiskey,  he  won't  work.  The  shingle-makers  frequently 
pay  five  to  eight  dollars  for  a  single  tree.  The  lumbermen 
will  take  a  whole  tree,  and  throw  it  in  a  stream  but  a  trifle 
wider  than  the  tree  itself,  and,  as  they  term  it,  log  it  down 
to  some  larger  water.  This  is  done  only  when  the  snow  is 
going  off,  in  the  spring,  or  when  there  is  a  rise  of  water  in 
the  fall  of  the  year.  To  mount  some  high  eminence  on  a 
cold,  frosty  morning,  and  cast  your  eye  over  these  dark 
forests,  and  behold  the  smoke  standing,  like  the  shaft  of 
Bunker  Hill  Monument,  in  the  air,  is  indeed  a  sight  worth 
seeing." 

It  is  surprising  to  see  so  many  hard-working  farmers, 
laboring  in  the  Eastern  States  on  miserable  farms,  from  ten 
to  one  hundred  acres  in  size,  when  such  inducements  are 
offered  in  Wisconsin,  as  buying  improved  farms  at  low 
prices,  or  selecting  to  suit  themselves  from  Government 
lands  at  $1  25  per  acre.  The  prairies  and  openings  of  this 
State  offer  farms,  wild  or  improved,  of  a  quality  which  the 
same  means  could  not  purchase  in  the  other  States,  while 
the  rapidity  with  which  internal  improvements  advance, 
approximates  with  each  year  the  value  of  produce  near  the 


172  GENERAL    REMARKS. 

market-prices  of  the  East,  and  consequently  gives  an  en- 
hanced value  to  their  farms. 

The  soil  in  most  parts  of  the  State  is  composed  of  the 
black  deposit  of  decayed  vegetation,  which  for  ages  has 
flourished  in  wild  luxuriance,  and  rotted  upon  the  surface  ; 
of  loam,  and,  in  a  few  localities,  of  clay  mixed  with  sand. 
The  deposit  of  vegetable  mould  is  uniformly  several  inches 
thick  on  the  tops  and  sides  of  hills — in  the  valleys  it.is  fre- 
quently a  number  of  feet.  A  soil  thus  created  of  impalpa- 
ble powder,  formed  of  the  elements  of  organic  matter  —  the 
dust  of  death — we  need  scarcely  remark,  is  adapted  to  the 
highest  and  most  profitable  purposes  of  agriculture  — 
yielding  crop  after  crop  in  rank  abundance,  without  an 
artificial  manuring.  Instances  could  be  mentioned  of  land 
cropped  for  twenty  to  thirty  successive  years,  without  the 
addition  of  a  pound  of  manure,  on  which  the  growth,  last 
season,  was  just  as  vigorous,  and  the  yield  as  profuse,  as 
on  any  of  the  series. 

We  are  told  by  those  wiseacres  who  are  always  croaking, 
that  "the  bubble  of  Western  speculation  in  lands,  &c, 
will  soon  blow  up"  —  this  has  been  their  cry  for  years. 
Whether  it  comes  or  not  —  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  it 
ought  to  come  soon  in  several  of  the  States  whose  lands 
are  partly  held  by  Eastern  speculators  —  it  can  do  no  mate- 
rial damage  to  Wisconsin,  and  we  will  give  our  reasons  : 

First.  Its  unrivalled  agricultural  country  to  fall  back  upon. 

Second.  Its  vast  mineral  resources  of  lead,  copper, 
iron,  &c.' 

1  A  piece  of  gold-bearing  quartz  was  found  lately  near  Waupacca, 
in  Waupacca  River,  near  the  centre  of  the  State ;  also,  a  specimen 
of  pure  gold  was  dug  from  a  cellar  in  the  same  vicinity.  The  quartz 
specimen  is  quite  rich  in  the  precious  metal.  The  particles  are 
plainly  visible  to  the  eye,  scattered  in  profusion  over  the  surface  of 
the  rock.  Particles  of  gold,  as  large  as  a  pea,  have  been  frequently 
dug  out  of  the  ground  at  the  same  place. 


GENERAL    REMARKS.  173 

Third.  Its  immense  lumber  regions. 

Fourth.  Its  commercial  position  and  advantages.  Lake 
Superior  on  the  north,  Lake  Michigan  on  the  east,  the 
Mississippi  River  on  the  west,  and  the  inland  navigation 
improvements  connecting  that  river  and  Lake  Michigan, 
besides  its  railroads  which  traverse  it  in  every  direction. 

Fifth.   In  the  energy  and  industry  of  its  inhabitants. 

Sixth,  and  lastly.  In  the  large  and  increasing  European 
immigration. 

In  May,  1857,  over  one  thousand  Norwegian  settlers 
arrived,  and  at  least  twenty  thousand  more  are  expected 
to  follow,  from  that  country  alone,  this  year.  We  have  no 
means  of  knowing  the  numbers  of  German  and  Irish  immi- 
grants, but  they  are  in  excess  of  former  years.  Wisconsin, 
if  she  never  receives  one  dollar  more,  or  another  settler 
from  the  old  States,  would  still  increase  at  an  unexam- 
pled rate  from  foreign  immigration  alone/ 

In  addition  to  all  these  resources,  Wisconsin  is  not  crip- 
pled with  a  heavy  debt,  like  most  of  the  other  States.  In 
1857  it  only  amounted  to  about  $70,000.  Nor  has  she  to 
expend  millions  upon  internal  improvements,  for  the 
General  Government  granted  over  2,000,000  acres  to  con- 
struct her  railroads  ;  the  lands  appropriated  for  school  pur- 
poses are  worth  at  least  $3,000,000,  besides  the  University, 
and  other  trust  funds. 

One  would  infer  from  the  remarks  of  several  of  the  leading 
journals,  that  the  only  cities  in  the  Union  were  in  the 
Eastern  States,  and  that  the  products  of  the  West  must  be 
brought  there  for  market.  The  statements  of  these  journals 
show  a  narrow-mindedness  and  intentional  ignorance  of  the 
true  state  of  affairs.  Wisconsin  has,  within  her  own  limits, 
a  ready  market  for  all  her  agricultural  productions,  and  is 
able  to  ship  the  products  of  her  lead,  copper,  and  iron 
mines,  to  Canada,  to  Europe,  or  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
15* 


It4  GENERAL    REMARKS. 

Great  numbers  of  emigrants  have  arrived  this  year  at  its 
Lake  ports  from  Europe  via  Canada. 

That  there  are  many  towns  which  have  no  existence  but 
on  paper,  and  in  the  brains  of  speculators  ;  and  that  great 
numbers  of  young  men,  who  are  fit  for  nothing  but  idling 
away  their  time  in  cities,  or  attending  upon  fancy  mercan- 
tile duties,  come  here,  and  can  find  no  employment  suited 
to  their  capacity,  we  do  not  deny.  But  we  do  assert  that 
a  good  farmer  or  mechanic  failing  to  succeed  in  Wisconsin, 
is  almost  an  impossibility  —  in  fact,  we  would  like  to  hear 
of  one.  We  will  go  further,  and  maintain  that  not  only 
can  they  succeed  better  in  Wisconsin,  but  in  less  time,  and 
with  less  labor,  than  is  needed  in  other  States.  Even  sup- 
posing a  general  revulsion  should  occur  in  commercial 
affairs  throughout  the  East,  we  confess  that  we  are  unable 
to  see  how  it  can  affect  the  settlers  in  Wisconsin  who  have 
purchased  lands  at  $1  25  to  $2  50  per  acre.  For  it  is 
proved  that  the  first  crop  raised  generally  pays  both  for 
the  farm  and  improvements!  Again,  in  proportion  as 
the  population  increases,  there  must  be  towns ;  and  these 
towns  must  give  employment  to  mechanics  to  build  them, 
and  to  all  kinds  of  tradesmen  to  support  them,  and  the 
remuneration  that  will  be  paid  in  every  case  will  be  very 
great. 

We  make  these  statements  to  prove  that  the  course  of 
Wisconsin  must  ever  be  onward.  If  its  increase  in  former 
years  exceeded  that  of  any  other  State  in  the  Union,  what 
must  it  soon  be  when  the  resources  we  have  mentioned  shall 
have  been  fully  developed. 


PART    II. 


LAKE    SUPERIOR 


(175) 


LAKE    SUPERIOR. 

CHAPTER  I. 

LAKE    SUPERIOR  —  PICTURED   ROCKS  —  CLIMATE  —  ISLANDS. 

"Father  of  Lakes !  thy  waters  bend 
Beyond  the  eagle's  utmost  view, 
When,  throned  in  heaven,  he  sees  thee  send 
Baok  to  the  sky  its  world  of  blue. 

"Boundless  and  deep,  the  forests  weave 
Their  twilight  shade  thy  borders  o'er, 
And  threatening  cliffs,  like  giants,  heave 
Their  rugged  forms  along  thy  shore." 

Lake  Superior,  the  Mediterranean  Sea  of  America,  is 
the  largest  body  of  fresh  water  on  the  face  of  the  globe. 
It  is  621  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  360  miles  long, 
160  wide,  and  its  mean  depth  has  been  estimated  at  900 
feet,  its  elevation  above  Lakes  Huron  and  Michigan  49 
feet,  and  it  is  said  that  near  two  hundred  rivers  and  creeks 
flow  into  it.  The  greater  part  of  these  rivers  are  not 
navigable,  except  by  canoes,  owing  to  their  numerous  falls 
and  rapids. 

More  than  two  hundred  years  ago,  before  the  emigrants 
of  the  "  Mayflower"  ever  trod  on  New  England  soil,  the 
French  Jesuits  of  Canada  had  partially  explored  this  great 

(177) 


178  LAKE    SUPERIOR. 

lake,  and  described  the  form  of  its  shores,  in  their  reports, 
as  similar  to  that  of  a  bended  bow,  the  northern  shore 
being  the  arc  and  the  southern  the  cord,  while  Keweenaw 
Point,  projecting  from  the  southern  shore  to  the  middle  of 
the  lake,  is  the  arrow.  A  description  published  by  one  of 
them  in  Paris,  in  1638,  is  accompanied  with  a  map,  dis- 
playing the  geographical  positions  of  its  shores  with  as 
much  fidelity  as  most  of  those  of  the  present  day. 

Almost  the  whole  line  of  its  shores  is  rock-bound  ;  the 
rocks,  in  many  places,  rising  to  the  height  of  from  ten  to 
two  hundred  feet.  One  of  the  earliest  discoverers  described 
the  lake  as  "an  ocean  in  a  storm,  sculptured  in  granite," 
so  striking  was  the  aspect  of  its  bold  rocks  and  towering 
mountains,  torn,  as  it  were,  from  their  places  by  some 
mighty  convulsion  of  nature.  In  some  places,  mountain 
masses  of  considerable  elevation  stretch  along  the  shore, 
while  mural  precipices,  and  beetling  crags,  oppose  them- 
selves to  the  surges  of  this  mighty  lake,  and  threaten  the 
unfortunate  mariner,  who  may  be  caught  in  a  storm  on  a 
lee  shore,  with  almost  inevitable  destruction. 

High  ranges  of  hills  stretch  along  the  northern  shores, 
commencing  in  Canada,  and  reaching  to  Minnesota.  They 
arise  from  twelve  hundred  to  thirteen  hundred  feet  above 
the  lake,  covered  with  a  sparse  and  stunted  growth  of 
pines,  and  other  varieties  of  evergreens,  mixed  with  the 
usual  northorn  vegetation  of  birch,  aspen,  and  other  trees 
peculiar  to  this  region,  and  presenting  scenery  unrivalled 
for  its  beauty.  The  shore  is  indented  with  numerous  small 
bays  and  harbors.  Some  of  these  bays  afford  secure  shel- 
ter from  storms,  as  they  are  sometimes  overhung  by  high 
walls  of  rock,  rising  from  300  to  600  feet  above  the  water. 
Several  towns  have  recently  been  laid  out  on  the  American 
shore,  which  extends  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
along  the  northwestern  coast  of  the  lake.     From  the  re- 


PICTURED    ROCKS.  H9 

ports  of  the  settlers,  and  samples  of  their  agricultural  pro- 
ductions, it  is  inferred  that  its  soil  is  capable  of  producing 
any  of  the  productions  of  the  Middle  States.  Already 
considerable  quantities  of  lumber  have  been  shipped  to 
other  lake  ports  from  these  new  settlements.  The  "  north 
shore"  is  also  known  to  abound  in  vast  deposits  of  valu- 
able minerals. 

In  many  parts,  along  the  southern  shore,  the  country  is 
mountainous,  the  ridges  rising,  in  some  places,  eight  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  lake,  and  covered  with  the  original 
forest.  Here  the  "Porcupine  range"  is  seen,  presenting 
varying  outlines  as  you  sail  along  the  coast.  Keweenaw 
Point  is  also  covered  with  hills,  but  less  lofty  and  pictu- 
resque than  those  already  mentioned. 

The  eastern  shores  of  the  lake,  between  this  point  and 
its  outlet  at  the  St.  Mary's  river,  are  low,  and  covered 
with  a  dense  forest.  The  "Pictured  Rocks,"  on  these 
shores,  are  a  great  curiosity.  They  form  a  perpendicular 
wall  of  over  300  feet  in  height,  extending  about  ten  miles. 
On  their  faces  are  to  be  seen  numerous  projections  and  in- 
dentations, with  extensive  caverns,  which  receive  the  waves 
with  a  tremendous  roar.  It  needs  but  a  bold  stroke  of  the 
imagination  to  fancy  we  see  mystic  towers,  columns,  arches, 
Doric  temples,  and  varied  forms  of  architectural  ruins  ; 
their  majestic  fronts  rising  from  the  clear  water,  presenting 
a  display  that  may  fairly  challenge  the  world  to  surpass. 
Can  we  wonder  that  the  untutored  savage,  as  he  passed 
these  majestic  rocks  in  his  canoe,  associated  them  in  his 
mind  as  the  residence  of  a  "  Mighty  Manito  ?"  *In  the 
beautiful  legends  lately  published  by  Longfellow,  we  read 
of  an  Indian  hero,  when  pursued  by  Hiawatha,  flying  for 
refuge 

"To  the  Pictured  Rocks  of  sandstone, 
Looking  over  lake  and  landscape ; 


180  CLIMATE. 

And  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain, 
He,  the  Manito  of  mountains, 
Opened  wide  his  rocky  doorways, 
Opened  wide  his  deep  abysses." 

The  rapid  settlement  of  the  States  on  its  borders,  and 
the  completion  of  the  ship  canal  at  the  Sanlt  Ste.  Marie, 
have  awakened  attention  to  these  hitherto  neglected  and 
almost  unknown  regions.  In  fact,  it  was  supposed  that  its 
climate  was  inhospitable,  its  soil  barren  and  unfit  for  culti- 
vation, and  it  was  altogether  unworthy  of  notice,  saving 
on  account  of  its  valuable  copper  mines.  The  object  of 
the  author  will  be  to  prove  that  it  has  the  finest  and  most 
salubrious  climate  in  the  United  States,  and  now  presents 
more  attractions  to  the  settler  than  any  part  of  our  extended 
domain. 

A  healthier  region  does  not  exist ;  here  the  common  dis- 
eases of  mankind  are  comparatively  unknown.  The  light- 
ness of  the  atmosphere  has  a  most  invigorating  effect  upon 
the  spirits,  and  the  breast  of  the  invalid  swells  with  new 
emotions  when  he  inhales  its  healthy  breezes,  as  they  sweep 
across  the  lake.  The  subjoined  observations  were  made  by 
the  Army  Surgeons  stationed  at  Fort  Wilkins,  Copper 
Harbor,  in  Lat.  4t°  2?'  N. 

Mean  Annual  Temperature 41°  4' 

Mean  Temperature  of  the  Summer 61°  4' 

Mean  Temperature  of  the  Winter 21°  1' 

Dr.  Owen  says: — "The  health,  even  of  the  more 
marshy' portions  of  this  district,  seems  better  than,  from  its 
appearance,  one  might  expect.  The  long  bracing  winters 
of  these  northern  latitudes  exclude  many  of  the  diseases 
which,  under  the  prolonged  heat  of  a  more  southern  cli- 
mate, the  miasm  of  the  swamp  engenders.  At  the  Pem- 
bina settlement  (in  latitude  49°),  owned  by  the  Hudson's 


CLIMATE.  181 

Bay  Company,  to  a  population  of  five  thousand,  there  was 
but  a  single  physician,  and  he  told  me,  that  without  an 
additional  salary  allowed  him  by  the  Company,  the  diseases 
of  the  settlement  would  not  afford  him  a  living." 

None  of  the  American  Lakes  can  compare  with  Lake 
Superior  in  healthfulness  of  climate  during  the  summer 
months,  and  there  is  no  place  so  well  calculated  to  restore 
the  health  of  an  invalid,  who  has  suffered  from  the  de- 
pressing miasms  of  the  fever-breeding  soil  of  the  South- 
western States.  This  opinion  is  fast  gaining  ground  among 
medical  men,  who  are  now  recommending  to  their  patients 
the  healthful  climate  of  this  favored  lake,  in  preference  to 
sending  them  to  die  in  enervating  southern  latitudes. 

The  waters  of  this  vast  inland  sea,  covering  an  area  of 
over  32,000  miles,  exercise  a  powerful  influence  in  modi- 
fying the  two  extremes  of  heat  and  cold.  The  uniformity 
of  temperature  thus  produced  is  highly  favorable  to  animal 
and  vegetable  life.  The  most  delicate  fruits  and  jrfants 
are  raised  loithoui  injury,  while  four  or  five  degrees  further 
south  they  are  destroyed  by  the  early  frosts.  It  is  a  sin- 
gular feet,  that  Lake  Superior  never  freezes  in  the  middle ; 
and,  along  the  shores,  the  ice  seldom  extends  out  more  than 
fifteen  to  eighteen  miles.  The  temperature  of  its  waters 
rarely,  if  ever,  change,  and  are  almost  always  at  40°  Fah- 
renheit—  the  maximum  density  of  water.  In  midsummer 
its  climate  is  delightful  beyond  comparison,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  the  air  is  softly  bracing.  The  winds  are  vari- 
able, and  rarely  continue  for  more  than  two  or  three  days 
in  the  same  quarter. 

In  my  opinion,  there  is  nothing  relating  to  Lake  Supe- 
rior more  misrepresented,  and  less  understood,  than  its 
winters,  the  very  mention  of  which,  a  few  years  ago,  and 
even  at  the  present  time,  in  the  Atlantic  States,  conveys 
almost  a  sensation  of  misery — but  how  far  from  the  reality  ? 
16 


182  CLIMATE. 

Instead  of  snow,  sleet,  rain,  and  fog,  alternating  with  very 
little  sunshine,  what  do  we  find  ?  The  winter  season  is  said 
to  be,  by  the  oldest  residents,  the  most  agreeable  part  of 
the  year,  with  plenty  of  clear  blue  sky,  fine  bracing  atmo- 
sphere, and  very  little  rain  from  the  month  of  November 
until  April.  Besides,  coughs,  colds,  and  diseases  of  the 
lungs  are  comparatively  unknown  here,  and  this  alone 
should  recommend  the  climate  of  Lake  Superior. 

'Tis  true,  snow  falls  to  a  considerable  depth,  making  the 
roads  level,  and  filling  up  all  their  inequalities  ;  and,  so  far 
from  being  an  inconvenience,  adds  greatly  to  the  comfort 
and  happiness  of  all.  This  is  the  season  for  hilarity  and 
social  enjoyment ;  its  lengthened  eve  is  full  of  fireside  joys. 
In  this  region,  less  snow  falls  than  in  either  the  New  Eng- 
land States  or  northern  part  of  New  York.  The  testimony 
of  the  oldest  fur-traders,  long  accustomed  to  this  climate, 
proves  the  truth  of  these  assertions. 

The  Hon.  Henry  M.  Rice,  the  present  delegate  from 
Minnesota  Territory,  in  a  letter  dated  June  3d,  1854,  says: 
"For  several  years,  I  had  trading-posts  extending  from 
Lake  Superior  to  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  from  46° 
to  49°  north  latitude,  and  never  found  the  snow  so  deep 
as  to  prevent  supplies  being  transported  from  one  post  to 
another  with  horses.  Between  the  45th  and  49th  degrees 
north  latitude,  the  snow  does  not  fall  so  deep  as  it  does 
between  the  40th  and  45th  degrees  ;  this  is  easily  accounted 
for,  upon  the  same  principle  that,  in  the  fall,  they  have 
frosts  much  earlier  near  the  40th  than  they  do  near  the  45th 
degree.  Voyageurs  traverse  the  territory  from  Lake  Su- 
perior to  the  Missouri  the  entire  winter  with  horses  and 
sleighs,  having  to  make  their  own  roads,  and  yet  with 
heavy  loads  are  not  detained  by  snow.  I  have  also  gone 
from  the  head  waters  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  waters  of 
the  Hudson  Bay,  on  foot,  and  without  snow  shoes.    I  spent 


ISLANDS.  183 

one  entire  winter  travelling  through  that  region,  and  never 
found  the  snow  over  eighteen  inches  deep,  and  seldom  over 
nine  inches.  One  winter,  north  of  41°  north  latitude,  I 
wintered  about  sixty  head  of  horses  and  cattle,  without 
giving  them  food  of  any  kind,  except  such  as  they  could 
procure  themselves  under  the  snow.  Owing  to  its  altitude, 
the  atmosphere  is  dry  beyond  belief,  which  accounts  for  the 
absence  of  frosts  in  the  fall,  and  for  the  small  quantity  of 
snow  that  falls  in  a  country  so  far  north." 

There  are  but  few  islands  in  Lake  Superior.  The  largest 
of  them  is  Isle  Royale,  in  the  western  part.  Some  of  the 
best  harbors  on  the  lake  are  on  its  shores,  but,  as  yet,  they 
are  rarely  visited.  Its  sides  are  covered  with  forest.  In 
winter,  the  ice  has  been  known  to  extend  from  the  Cana- 
dian shore  to  this  island,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  Isle 
P^oyale  is  celebrated  for  its  copper  mines,  the  most  im- 
portant of  which  are  to  be  found  on  its  northern  shores ; 
but,  at  present,  the  explorations  have  been  too  limited  to 
form  a  just  impression  of  their  value  and  extent.  It  is  also 
celebrated  for  its  valuable  fisheries,  and  exports  several 
thousand  barrels  to  the  Eastern  markets. 

Between  Isle  Royale  and  the  main  land  are  two  large 
islands,  of  which,  however,  little  is  known  ;  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  lake  are  four  more.  The  most  interesting 
group  of  islands  is  the  Apostles'  Isles,  a  cluster  of  consi- 
derable importance,  embraced  within  an  area  of  four  hun- 
dred square  miles.  Madeline  is  the  largest,  being  thirteen 
miles  long,  and  with  an  average  breadth  of  two  miles. 
Its  surface  is  level,  and  the  soil  rich  and  fertile.  This 
island  is  situated  about  three  miles  from  the  Wisconsin 
coast,  funning  one  of  the  best  natural  harbors  on  the  lake. 
Its  climate  is  justly  celebrated.  Tempered,  as  well  in  sum- 
mer as  in  winter,  by  the  vast  expanse  of  water  that  sur- 
rounds it,  and  which,  except  at  the  immediate  surface,  is 


184  ISLANDS. 

almost  always  at  40°  Fahrenheit,  its  climate  is  milder,  at 
once,  and  more  equable,  than  any  part  of  Wisconsin, 
whether  it  be  on  the  main  land  of  Lake  Superior,  or  fur- 
ther south,  on  the  Mississippi.1 

Though  Madeline  Island  contains  some  fifteen  thousand 
acres  of  valuable  arable  land,  and  a  population  of  over 
three  hundred  souls,  but  two  or  three  hundred  acres  are 
under  cultivation.  Any  one  who  supposes  this  region  is 
too  far  north  to  raise  good  fruit  and  vegetables,  should 
ramble  through  some  of  its  gardens,  in  the  month  of  Au- 
gust or  September,  and  see  for  himself  the  fine  thrifty 
vegetables,  ripe  currants,  etc.,  besides  apple  trees  and 
grape  vines  laden  with  fruit. 

Bear  Island  and  Esquagendeg  are  the  next  largest 
islands  of  this  group,  and  are  each  about  four  miles  long 
by  two  and  a  half  wide.  They  are  principally  covered 
with  a  thick  growth  of  evergreens  along  the  shores,  while 
the  rest  of  their  surface  is  covered  with  cedar,  hemlock, 
birch,  aspen,  and  pine,  with  occasional  natural  meadows. 
The  waters  around  them  teem  with  the  finest  fish.  We 
believe  that  these  islands  have  been,  within  the  last  two 
years,  claimed  by  settlers. 

Grand  Island,  extensive  and  rock-bound,  lies  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  lake,  two  miles  from  the  Michigan 
shore,  and  forms  a  most  excellent  harbor.  The  remaining 
islands  of  Lake  Superior  are  near  its  outlet,  including  the 
island  of  Michipicoten,  which  is  one-third  as  large  as  Isle 
Boyale,  and  believed  to  abound  in  copper. 

Lake  Superior  is  subject  to  as  violent  storms  as  the  At- 
lantic, rendering  the  navigation  at  times,  and  particularly 
late  in  the  fall  and  winter,  exceedingly  dangerous.  Owing 
to  the  lofty  crags  which  surround  it,  the  winds  sweeping 
over  the  lake  impinge  upon  its  surface  so  abruptly  as  to 
1  Owen's  Geological  Report. 


LAKE    SUPERIOR.  185 

raise  a  peculiarly  deep  and  combing  sea,  which  is  exceed- 
ingly dangerous  to  boats  and  small  craft.1  During  the 
months  of  June,  July,  and  August,  the  navigation  is  per- 
fectly safe.  Its  blue,  cold,  and  transparent  waters,  undis- 
turbed by  tides,  are,  during  these  months,  as  motionless 
and  glassy  as  those  of  any  small  secluded  lake,  reflecting, 
with  perfect  truth  of  form  and  color,  the  inverted  landscape 
that  slopes  down  to  its  smooth,  sandy  beach.  The  mirage 
on  this  lake  is  truly  wonderful.  It  is  not  uncommon  to  see 
islands  far  in  the  distance,  which  gradually  disappear  as 
they  are  approached.  In  some  of  the  bays,  the  water  is  so 
clear  that  a  diver  could  pick  up  a  small  silver  coin  at  a 
depth  of  over  thirty  feet,  and  the  whole  of  the  lower  part 
of  the  vessel  can  be  distinctly  seen. 

1  Dr.  Jackson's  Report. 


16* 


CHAPTER   II. 

MINERAL  RESOURCES  —  COPPER,  SILVER,  AND  IRON  —  CHA- 
RACTER OP  THE  SOIL  —  FISHERIES  —  COMMERCE  —  SAULT 
STE.  MARIE    CANAL  —  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

The  earliest  visitors  to  Lake  Superior  were,  no  doubt, 
well  acquainted  with  its  rich  deposits  of  copper  ore.  More 
than  one  of  their  published  descriptions  mention  it.  Char- 
levoix states  that  "such  was  its  purity,  that  one  of  the 
monks,  who  had  been  bred  a  goldsmith,  made  from  it  several 
sacramental  articles." 

"  The  savages,"  he  says,  "on  account  of  the  quantity 
of  fish  furnished  by  Lake  Superior,  and  of  the  respect 
inspired  by  its  vast  extent,  have  made  it  a  sort  of  divinity, 
and  offer  to  it  sacrifices  in  their  manner."  He  thinks, 
nevertheless,  it  is  rather  to  the  genius  of  the  lake,  than  to 
the  lake  itself,  that  they  address  their  prayers.  "  If  one 
may  believe  them,"  says  he,  "the  origin  of  the  lake  has 
something  divine  in  it.  It  was  formed,  they  imagine,  by 
Michabou,  the  god  of  waters,  in  order  to  supply  them  with 
beaver.  In  the  strait  by  which  it  is  discharged  into  Lake 
Huron,  there  is  a  rapid,  caused  by  great  rocks,  called 
Sault  Ste.  Marie.  These  rocks,  according  to  the  Indians, 
are  the  remains  of  a  causeway  which  God  had  built,  to  hold 
the  waters  of  the  river  and  those  of  Lake  Alimepegon, 
which  filled  this  great  lake. 

"  In  places  on  its  borders,  and  about  some  of  its  islands, 
we  found  large  pieces  of  copper,  which  are  yet  the  object 

(186) 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  187 

of  the  superstitious  adoration  of  the  savages.  They  regard 
thera  with  veneration,  as  a  present  from  the  gods  who  in- 
habit the  waters.  They  collect  the  smallest  fragments  of 
it,  and  preserve  them  with  care,  but  make  no  use  of  them. 
They  say  that  formerly  they  have  seen  a  large  rock,  all  of 
the  same  mineral,  raised  much  above  the  water,  and,  as  it 
is  not  now  to  be  seen,  they  say  that  the  gods  have  removed 
it  somewhere  else.  But  there  is  reason  to  suppose  that,  in 
the  lapse  of  time,  the  waves  of  the  lake  have  covered  it  with 
sand  and  ooze ;  and  it  is  certain  that  we  discovered,  in 
many  places,  a  large  quantity  of  this  metal,  without  eveu 
being  obliged  to  dig  much. 

"  On  my  first  voyage  to  this  country,  I  knew  a  brother 
of  our  order  who  was  a  goldsmith  by  trade,  who,  while  on 
his  mission  at  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  had  gone  in  search  of  it, 
and  had  made  chandeliers,  crosses,  and  censers  of  it ;  for 
the  copper  is  often  almost  wholly  pure." 

Claude  Allonez,  a  Jesuit  missionary,  and  one  of  the 
earliest  explorers  of  the  lake,  says  :  "  The  savages  respect 
this  lake  as  a  divinity,  and  make  sacrifices  to  it,  on  account, 
perhaps,  of  its  magnitude,  or  for  its  goodness  in  furnishing 
thera  with  fishes,  which  nourish  all  these  people,  where 
there  is  but  little  game.  There  are  often  found,  beneath 
the  water,  pieces  of  copper,  well  formed,  and  of  the  weight 
of  ten  and  twenty  pounds.  I  have  seen  them  many  times 
in  the  hands  of  the  savages  ;  and,  as  they  are  superstitious, 
they  keep  them  as  so  many  divinities,  or  as  presents  from 
the  gods  beneath  the  water,  who  have  given  them  as 
pledges  of  good  fortune.  On  that  account,  they  keep  the 
pieces  of  copper  enveloped  among  their  most  precious 
furniture.  There  are  some  who  have  preserved  them  for 
more  than  fifty  years,  and  others  who  have  had  them  in 
their  families  from  time  immemorial,  and  cherish  them  as 
household  gods." 


188  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

Messrs.  Foster  and  Whitney,  in  their  interesting  geolo- 
gical report  to  Congress,  on  the  mineral  district  of  Lake 
Superior,  in  1850-51,  remark  :  "  That  this  region  was  re- 
sorted to  by  a  barbaric  race  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
copper,  long  before  it  became  known  to  the  white  man,  is 
evident  from  numerous  memorials  scattered  throughout  its 
entire  extent.  Whether  these  ancient  miners  belonged  to 
the  race  who  built  the  mounds  found  so  abundantly  on  the 
Upper  Mississippi  and  its  affluents,  or  were  the  progeni- 
tors of  the  Indians  now  inhabiting  the  country,  is  a  matter 
of  conjecture. 

"When  all  of  the  facts  shall  have  been  collected,  the 
question  may  be  satisfactorily  determined.  The  evidence 
of  the  early  mining  consists  in  the  existence  of  numerous 
excavations  in  the  solid  rock  ;  of  heaps  of  rubble  and  earth 
along  the  courses  of  the  veins ;  of  the  remains  of  copper 
utensils,  fashioned  into  the  form  of  knives  and  chisels  ;  of 
stone  hammers,  some  of  which  are  of  immense  size  and 
weight ;  of  wooden  bowls,  for  bailing  water  from  the 
mines ;  and  numerous  levers  of  wood,  used  in  raising  the 
mass  copper  to  the  surface. 

"  The  high  antiquity  of  this  rude  mining  is  inferred  from 
the  fact,  that  the  existing  race  of  Indians  have  no  tradi- 
tions by  what  people,  or  at  what  period,  it  was  done.  The 
places,  even,  were  unknown  to  the  oldest  of  the  band  until 
pointed  out  by  the  white  man.  It  is  inferred  from  the  cha- 
racter of  the  trees  growing  upon  the  piles  of  rubbish  —  be- 
tween which  and  those  forming  the  surrounding  forest  no 
perceptible  difference  can  be  detected  ;  from  the  mouldering 
state  of  the  wooden  billets  and  levers  ;  and  from  the  nature 
of  the  materials  with  which  these  excavations  are  filled, 
consisting  of  fine  clay,  enveloping  half-decayed  leaves,  and 
the  bones  of  the  bear,  the  deer,  and  caribou.     This  filling 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  189 

up  resulted,  not  from  the  action  of  temporary  streamlets, 
but  from  the  slow  accumulations  of  years. 

"These  evidences  are  observed  on  this  location  for  a 
distance  of  two  and  a  half  miles.  Upon  a  mound  of  earth 
we  saw  a  pine  stump,  broken  fifteen  feet  from.the  ground, 
ten  feet  in  circumference,  which  must  have  grown,  flour- 
ished, and  died,  since  the  earth  in  which  it  had  taken  root 
was  thrown  out.  Mr.  Knapp  counted  three  hundred  and 
ninety-five  annular  rings  on  a  hemlock,  growing  under 
similar  circumstances,  which  he  felled  near  one  of  his 
shafts.  Thus  it  would  appear  that  these  explorations  were 
made  before  Columbus  started  on  his  voyage  of  discovery. 

"  The  amount  of  ancient  hammers  found  in  this  vicinity 
exceeded  ten  cart-loads,  and  Mr.  K.,  with  little  reverence 
for  the  past,  employed  a  portion  of  them  in  walling  up  a 
spring.  They  are  made  of  greenstone  or  porphyry  peb- 
bles, with  a  groove,  single  or  double,  cut  around,  by  which 
a  withe  was  attached. 

"Mr.  Wm.  H.  Stevens,  the  agent  of  the  Forrest  Mine, 
has  discovered  other  workings  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  30,  township  50,  range  39,  almost  of  equal  extent 
and  interest.  They  occur  on  the  southern  slope  of  a  hill, 
and  consist  of  a  series  of  pits,  some  of  which,  on  being 
opened,  are  found  to  be  fourteen  feet  deep.  They  are  ar- 
ranged in  four  lines,  following  the  courses  of  four  veins  or 
feeders. 

"  In  cleaning  out  one  of  these  pits,  at  the  depth  of  ten 
feet,  the  workmen  came  across  a  fragment  of  a  wooden 
bowl,  which,  from  the  splintry  pieces  of  rock  and  gravel 
imbedded  in  its  rim,  must  have  been  employed  in  bailing 
water. 

"From  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  31,  township  51, 
range  37,  to  section  5,  township  49,  range  40,  a  distance 
of  nearly  thirty  miles,  there  is  almost  a  continuous  line  of 


190  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

ancient  pits  along  the  middle  range  of  trap,  though  they 
are  not  exclusively  confined  to  it. 

"Upon  Keweenaw  Point  they  have  been  found  extend- 
ing from  Eagle  river  eastward  to  range  28,  a  distance  of 
twelve  miles,  along  the  base  of  the  trap  range." 

It  is  evident  that  these  early  miners  were  not  more  ad- 
vanced towards  civilization  than  the  Indians  generally, 
because  the  mining  and  other  implements  found  in  these 
ancient  excavations,  are  precisely  similar  to  those  which  are 
known  to  have  been  in  use  among  the  tribes  of  the  Atlan- 
tic coast.  The  stone  hammers,  made  of  oval  pebbles, 
grooved  about  the  middle  for  withes,  which  formed  the 
handles,  were  the  native  instruments  for  breaking  out  pieces 
of  copper  on  Lake  Superior,  and  for  breaking  the  hard 
rocks  of  Moosehead  Lake,  for  the  arrow  and  spear-heads 
of  the  Eastern  Indians.  Such  hammers,  together  with 
half-finished  stone  scalping-knives,  have  been  found  both  at 
Ontonagon  and  at  Eagle  River.  The  Indian  miner  also 
assisted  the  operation  of  breaking  the  rocks  by  kindling 
fires  upon  them ;  and  hence  the  origin  of  the  charred 
brands  and  coal  that  have  been  found  around  the  battered 
and  beaten  projections  of  copper. 

The  first  Englishman  that  ever  visited  the  copper  region 
was  Alexander  Henry,  who  remained  several  years  there, 
exploring  for  minerals.  We  extract  from  his  journal  the 
following  account  of  his  discoveries  : 

"On  the  19th  of  August,  1*765,  we  reached  the  mouth 
of  the  Ontonagon  river,  one  of  the  largest  on  the  south 
side  of  the  lake.  At  the  mouth  was  an  Indian  village,  and, 
three  leagues  above,  a  fall,  at  the  foot  of  which  sturgeon, 
at  this  season,  were  obtained  so  abundant  that  a  month's 
subsistence  for  a  regiment  could  have  been  taken  in  a  few 
hours.     But  I  foiHid  this  river  chiefly  remarkable  for  the 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  191 

abundance  of  virgin  copper  which  is  on  its  banks  and  in  its 
neighborhood. 

"On  my  way  back  to  Miehiliraackinaw,  I  encamped  a 
second  time  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ontonagon  river,  and  now 
took  the  opportunity  of  going  ten  miles  up  the  river  with 
Indian  guides.  The  object  for  which  I  most  expressly 
went,  and  to  which  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  being  led,  was 
a  mass  of  copper,  of  the  weight,  according  to  my  estimate, 
of  no  less  than  five  tons.  Such  was  its  pure  and  malleable 
state,  that,  with  an  axe,  I  was  able  to  cut  off  a  portion 
weighing  a  hundred  pounds.  On  viewing  the  surrounding 
surface,  I  conjectured  that  the  mass,  at  some  period  or 
other,  had  rolled  down  the  side  of  a  lofty  hill  which  rises 
at  its  back." ' 

The  first  copper  mining  company  on  Lake  Superior  was 
organized  by  this  enterprising  explorer.  In  1770,  Messrs. 
Baxter,  Bostwick,  and  Henry,  built  a  barge  at  Pointe  aux 
Pius,  and  laid  the  keel  of  a  sloop  of  forty  tons.  They 
were  in  search  of  gold  and  silver,  and  expected  to  make 
their  fortunes.  The  other  partners,  in  England,  were  "His 
Royal  Highness,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester ;  Mr.  Secretary 
Townshend ;  Sir  Samuel  Tuchet,  Bart. ;  Mr.  Baxter, 
Consul  of  the  Empress  of  Russia,  and  Mr.  Cruikshank  ; 
in  America,  Sir  William  Johnson,  Bart.,  Mr.  Bostwick, 
Mr.  Baxter,  and  myself.  A  charter  had  been  petitioned 
for  and  obtained  ;  but  owing  to  our  ill  success,  it  was 
never  taken  from  the  seal  office. "  The  sloop  and  other 
effects  of  the  Company,  were  sold  by  Mr.  Baxter  to  pay 
its  debts.     The  American  Revolution  shortly  after  com- 

1  In  1820,  Schoolcraft,  'who  accompanied  General  Cass  on  his  ex- 
pedition to  the  Mississippi,  mentions  this  rock  in  his  journal,  "as 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  remarkable  bodies  of  native  copper  on 
the  globe."  A  few  years  later  it  was  removed  to  Washington,  where 
it  may  now  be  seen  lying  on  the  ground,  near  the  War  Department. 


192  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

menced,  and  the  mineral  resources  of  the  lakes  were  for- 
gotten. 

The  celebrated  Captain  Jonathan  Carver,  who  visited 
these  regions  about  the  year  1*769,  in  his  observations  on 
the  copper  mines  of  Lake  Superior,  says  :  —  "It  might,  in 
future  times,  be  made  a  very  advantageous  trade,  as  the 
metal,  which  costs  nothing  on  the  spot,  and  requires  but 
little  expense  to  get  it  on  board,  could  be  conveyed  in 
boats  and  canoes  through  the  Falls  of  St.  Mary,  to  the 
Isle  of  St.  Joseph,  which  lies  at  the  bottom  of  the  strait, 
near  the  entrance  of  Lake  Huron  ;  from  thence  it  might  be 
put  on  board  larger  vessels,  and  in  them  be  transported 
across  that  lake  to  the  Falls  of  Niagara ;  then  being  car- 
ried by  laud  across  the  portage,  it  might  be  conveyed  with- 
out much  more  obstruction  to  Quebec.  The  cheapness  and 
ease  with  which  any  quantity  of  it  may  be  procured,  will 
make  up  for  the  length  of  way  that  is  necessary  to  trans- 
port it  before  it  reaches  the  sea  coast,  and  enable  the  pro- 
prietors to  send  it  to  foreign  markets  on  as  good  terms  as 
it  can  be  exported  from  other  countries." 

Samuel  Preston,  in  a  letter  dated  Stockport,  Pa.,  May 
1st,  1820,  says:  —  "Dr.  Franklin  told  me  that  when  he 
was  drawing  the  treaty  of  peace  with  England  in  the  city 
of  Paris,  he  had  access  to  the  journals  and  charts  of  a 
corps  of  French  engineers,  that  had  sloops  and  were  ex- 
ploring Lake  Superior  when  Quebec  fell  to  the  British, 
from  which  chart  he  drew  the  line  through  Lake  Superior 
to  include  the  most  and  the  best  of  the  copper  to  the 
United  States  ;  and  the  time  would  come,  when  drawing 
that  line  would  be  considered  the  greatest  service  he  ever 
rendered  his  country.  The  facilities  of  transportation 
would  be  well  improved  so  as  to  export  that  copper  ore  to 
Europe  cheaper  than  they  raised  it  from  their  own  mines." 

The  experiment  of  sending   ships  loaded  with  native 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  193 

copper  from  Lake  Superior  has  never  yet  been  tried. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  of  its  success.  Ships  have  cleared 
from  Chicago  loaded  with  grain  for  Liverpool,  which 
brought  high  prices  on  arrival.  The  distance  from  the 
mines  of  the  lake  is  somewhat  less  to  the  ocean  than  from 
Chicago,  A  great  part  of  the  copper  in  some  of  these 
mines  is  found  nearly  pure,  and  taken  out  in  masses  of  from 
one  to  ten  tons  in  weight.  Several  years  ago,  a  block  of 
copper  from  Lake  Superior  was  sent  to  London  as  a  spe- 
cimen ;  the  geologists  there  could  not  be  convinced,  at 
first,  but  that  it  was  a  Yankee  trick — they  had  never  heard 
of  copper  being  found  in  such  a  pure  state,  and  supposed 
the  block  had  been  cast  for  the  purpose  of  exhibition.  The 
writer  passed  through  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie  Canal,  on  the 
propeller  Manhattan,  in  July,  1856,  with  a  cargo  of  about 
two  hundred  tons  of  nearly  pure  copper.  A  large  part  of 
it  was  in  masses  of  from  two  to  six  tons  weight ;  there 
were  also  many  barrels  containing  virgin  copper  in  small 
lumps,  from  six  to  eight  hundred  pounds  to  the  barrel. 
This  cargo  was  consigned  to  Detroit  and  Cleveland. 

The  first  definite  information  in  regard  to  the  mineral 
resources  of  Lake  Superior,  was  published  in  1841,  by  Dr. 
Douglas  Houghton,  Geologist  to  the  State  of  Michigan  ; 
and  his  report  did  more  than  anything  else  to  awaken  pub- 
lic interest  in  this  region.  In  1843,  the  Chippewas  ceded 
their  lands,  extending  from  the  Chocolate  to  the  Montreal 
river,  and  southerly  as  far  as  the  boundary  of  Wisconsin, 
to  the  United  States.  Upon  the  ratification  of  the  treaty 
numerous  settlers  arrived,  among  them  several  miners  from 
Wisconsin,  who  selected  large  tracts  of  land,  including 
many  of  those  now  occupied  by  the  best  mines  of  the  coun- 
try. In  the  summer  of  1844,  the  first  mining  operations 
were  commenced,  and  many  masses  of  native  copper,  some 
of  which  contained  silver,  and  were  of  large  size,  were  dis- 
11 


194  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

covered.  These  facts  were  reported  in  the  Eastern  cities 
with  great  exaggerations,  and  a  great  excitement,  or 
"copper  fever,"  ensued;  and,  in  1845,  the  shores  of  Ke- 
weenaw Point  were  whitened  with  the  tents  of  speculators 
and  so-called  geologists. 

In  1846,  the  excitement  had  reached  its  climax;  the 
speculations  in  stocks  were  continued  as  long  as  it  was  pos- 
sible to  find  a  purchaser,  and  a  serious  injury  was  inflicted 
on  the  mining  interests  of  the  country  by  the  unprincipled 
attempts  to  palm  off  worthless  land  as  containing  valuable 
veins.  But  every  such  mania  must  have  an  end,  and  in 
1847  the  bubble  had  burst,  many  were  ruined,  and  the 
country  was  almost  deserted.  Out  of  all  the  companies 
which  had  been  formed,  not  more  than  half  a  dozen  were 
actually  engaged  in  mining. 

Since  this  period,  public  attention  has  been  again  drawn 
toward  the  Superior  country.  Its  mineral  lands  have  been 
partly  surveyed,  and  much  information  obtained  relating 
to  localities  where  the  ores  of  copper,  iron  and  silver 
abound.  A  considerable  number  of  mining  companies  have 
been  organized,  and  some  of  them  are  in  successful  ope- 
ration. The  time  has  now  arrived  when  public  opinion 
is  convinced  of  the  value  of  mineral  productions  ;  and  it  is 
understood  that  good  working  mines  are  sure  to  command 
and  reward  the  energies  of  capitalists  and  miners,  since  it 
is  proved  that  mining  is  liable  to  no  greater  risks  of  failure 
than  ordinary  mercantile  enterprises,  provided  due  precau- 
tion be  exercised  by  the  adventurers  in  the  selection  of 
their  mines,  and  in  working  them  to  advantage. 

As  it  is  desirable  to  give  as  full  an  account  as  possible 
of  the  vast  mineral  wealth  of  Lake  Superior,  we  shall  em- 
body in  this  chapter  the  statements  of  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jack- 
son, late  U.  S.  Geologist  and  Chemist,  as  given  in  his  report 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  195 

to  Government,  and  which  must  be  received  as  high  au- 
thority : 

"  On  approaching  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie  by  the  St.  Mary's 
river,  the  geologist  has  an  opportunity  of  discovering  the 
age  of  the  sandstone  strata,  by  observing  that  the  limestone 
of  St.  Joseph's  island,  and  of  the  other  numerous  isles  in 
that  river,  are  rocks  of  the  Devonian  group,  and  contain 
the  characteristic  fossils  by  which  that  rock  is  determined 
to  be  the  equivalent  of  those  of  Eifel. 

"It  is  obvious,  then,  that  the  red  and  gray  sandstone 
of  Lake  Superior  are  above  Devonian  rocks,  and,  there- 
fore, cannot  be  older  than  the  coal  formation  ;  while,  from 
their  lithological  character,  they  appear  to  belong  to  the 
Permc-an  system  of  Verneuil  and  Murchison.  Above  the 
Sault  we  see  these  red  and  gray  sandstones  dipping  at  a 
gentle  angle  into  the  lake,  showing  that  they  do  in  fact  dip 
directly  opposite  to  the  direction  that  would  be  required  to 
make  them  dip  beneath  the  limestone  on  St.  Mary's  river. 

"  Following  the  coast  to  l'Anse,  or  Keweenaw  Bay,  we 
find,  on  the  south  side  of  that  bay,  large  beds  of  slate 
rocks,  some  of  which  are  good  novaculite  or  whetstone 
slate.  On  the  northern  side  of  the  bay  we  find  a  long 
series  of  cliffs  of  red  sandstone  perfectly  horizontal,  or,  at 
most,  wary,  extending  all  the  way  to  Bete  Gris.  This 
sandstone,  as  before  observed  at  Sturgeon  river,  surrounds 
a  mass  of  Silurian  limestone,  containing  shells,  known  as 
the  Pentamerus  oblongus,  one  of  which  I  discovered  in  a 
piece  of  the  limestone  brought  to  me  by  one  of  my  assist- 
ants in  1848. 

"  Doubling  the  cape,  we  soon  pass  Horseshoe  Cove  and 
reach  Copper  Harbor,  the  site  of  Fort  Wilkins,  and  one 
of  the  first  places  where  copper  ore  was  noticed  by  the 
French  Jesuits,  since  whose  time  it  has  ever  been  known 


196  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

to  the  voyageurs  on  the  lake  under  the  name  of  the  green 
rock. 

"  While  constructing  the  fort  at  Copper  Harbor,  nume- 
rous boulders  of  black  oxide  of  copper,  a  very  rare  ore  of 
that  metal,  were  discovered  ;  and  before  long  a  vein  of  this 
valuable  ore  was  discovered  in  the  conglomerate  rocks, 
near  the  pickets  which  enclose  the  parade  ground.  This 
was  found  to  be  a  continuation  of  the  vein  called  the  green 
rock  at  Hayes'  Point,  and  was  immediately  opened  by  the 
Boston  and  Pittsburg  Mining  Company.  Unfortunately, 
however,  the  vein  was  soon  cut  off,  as  I  had  ventured  to 
predict  it  would  be,  by  a  heavy  stratum  of  fine-grained  red 
sandstone,  which  is  not  cupriferous.  There  the  vein  was 
found  to  consist  wholly  of  calcareous  spar,  and  of  earthy 
minerals  of  no  economical  value. 

"The  miners  were  then  transferred  to  the  cliff,  near 
Eagle  river,  where  I  had  surveyed  a  valuable  vein  of  native 
copper,  mixed  with  silver.  This  vein  has  since  been  fully 
proved,  and  is  one  of  the  wonders  of  the  world,  there  being 
solid  masses  of  pure  copper  in  the  vein  of  more  than  one 
hundred  tons  weight  each,  besides  masses  of  smaller  size  in 
other  parts  of  the  vein.  This  mine  has  produced  about 
900  tons  of  copper  per  annum,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
valuable  copper  mines  in  the  country.  It  is  a  regular  me- 
tallic vein,  in  amygdaloidal  trap-rock,  which  underlies  the 
compact  trap-rock  that  caps  the  hill.  The  spot  is  one  of 
the  finest  locations  for  mining  purposes  that  I  have  seen, 
the  vein  being  exposed  in  the  face  of  a  cliff  300  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  southwest  branch  of  Eagle  river.  This 
vein,  when  first  discovered,  was  far  from  disclosing  its  real 
value.  A  perpendicular  vein  of  prehnite,  six  inches  wide 
at  the  top  of  the  cliff,  was  observed  to  contain  a  few  par- 
ticles of  copper  and  silver,  not  amounting  to  more  than 
two  per  cent  of  the  mass.     About  half  way  down  the  cliff 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  197 

this  vein  of  prehnite  was  found  to  be  a  foot  and  a  half 
wide,  and  contained  five  and  a  half  per  cent,  of  copper,  and 
some  silver.  It  was  thought  worth  while  to  drive  a  level 
into  the  lower  part  of  the  cliff,  where,  according  to  the 
rate  of  widening  of  the  vein,  it  ought  to  be  from  two  to 
three  feet  wide.  This  was  done  at  my  suggestion,  and  a 
magnificent  lode  of  copper  was  disclosed  ;  many  lumps  of 
solid  copper  of  several  hundred  weight  being  found  mixed 
with  the  vein-stone.  On  sinking  a  shaft  at  this  point  the 
solid  metallic  copper  was  soon  found  to  occupy  nearly  the 
whole  width  of  the  chasm,  and  immense  blocks  of  copper 
are  now  taken  from  this  vein  by  the  miners,  who  are  work- 
ing levels  300  or  more  feet  below  the  mouth  of  the  shaft. 
Large  quantities  of  lumps  of  copper,  called  barrel  ore,  and 
rock  rich  in  smaller  pieces  of  copper,  mixed  with  silver,  are 
now  raised,  this  last  being  called  stamp  ore,  and  worked 
by  stamping  and  washing  the  ore.  From  this  stamp  work 
about  five  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  pure  silver  is  picked 
out  by  hand,  and  much  is  still  left  among  the  finer  particles 
of  metal,  and  goes  into  the  melted  copper." 

To  get  out  these  huge  masses  of  copper,  a  place  is 
sought  in  the  shaft  where  a  hole  may  be  bored  into  the 
rock,  and  a  heavy  blast  is  fired.  This  starts  the  cop- 
per from  the  wall  of  rocks,  and  sometimes  removes  it 
entirely.  It  is  then  cut  up  by  means  of  steel  chisels,  driven 
by  blows  of  a  heavy  sledge-hammer  —  one  man  holding  the 
chisel,  while  the  other  strikes  with  the  sledge  ;  a  groove  is 
morticed  out  across  the  mass  of  copper,  and  then  a  series 
of  ribbons  of  it,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  thickness, 
are  cut  out,  until  the  channel  thus  morticed  divides  the 
mass.  The  copper  is  perfectly  malleable  and  ductile,  and 
is  very  tough.  The  masses  of  solid  copper  are  very  pure, 
and  ought  to  yield  more  than  ninety  per  cent,  of  refined 
metal.  Such  are  the  facilities  of  transportation  presented 
It* 


198  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

by  the  Lake  steamboats  and  propellers,  that  it  requires  but 
three  or  four  days,  generally,  from  the  time  these  masses 
see  the  light,  to  deliver  them  at  the  smelting  works  of  Chi- 
cago, Detroit,  or  Cleveland. 

"  There  are  other  valuable  copper  mines  on  Eagle  "river. 
The  North  American  Company,  which  has  one  end  of  the 
cliff  vein,  called  the  south  cliff  mine,  and  another,  on  which 
their  mining  operations  commenced  some  years  ago,  is  at 
present  in  successful  operation,  and  will  add  much  to  the 
exports  of  copper  from  the  lake. 

"The  Lake  Superior  Copper  Company,  which  was  the 
first  that  engaged  in  these  mining  operations,  that  gave 
value  to  this  district,  opened  its  first  mines  on  Eagle  river 
in  18-44.  Under  the  very  unfavorable  state  of  things  which 
then  existed  in  the  savage  and  uncivilized  state  of  the  coun- 
try, and  after  two  or  three  years'  labor,  they  very  unfortu- 
nately sold  their  mines,  at  the  precise  moment  when  they 
were  upon  the  vein  that  now  has  proved  to  be  so  very  rich 
in  copper  and  silver.  The  Phoenix  Copper  Company, 
formed  of  the  remains  of  the  Lake  Superior  Company, 
opened  these  mines  anew,  and  now  these  give  ample  en- 
couragement to  the  new  adventurers,  who  will  doubtless 
reap  their  reward  in  valuable  returns  for  their  labor  and 
enterprise." 

At  this  mine,  shaft  number  two,  passing  into  the  west- 
ern side  of  the  vein,  was  very  rich  in  copper  and  silver  at 
the  surface,  and  impoverished  as  it  left  it  in  descending. 
After  working  downward  for  a  time,  through  barren  rock, 
the  miners  sent  off  a  level  toward  the  river,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  striking  the  vein  under  the  stream ;  but,  to  their 
great  surprise,  opened  into  a  deep  and  wide  ravine  or  an- 
cient channel  of  the  river,  filled  with  great  masses  of  cop- 
per, lumps  of  copper  and  silver  mixed,  small  globules  of 
pure  silver — all  rounded  and  worn  by  the  action  of  running 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  199 

water,  and  mixed  with  sand,  gravel,  and  pebbles.  A 
single  mass  of  silver  was  obtained  from  this  ravine  which 
weighed  more  than  six  pounds,  and  was  worth  one  hundred 
and  thirty  dollars.1  That  lump  of  silver  is  now  in  the 
cabinet  of  the  United  States  Mint,  at  Philadelphia. 
Masses  of  copper  were  also  found  weighing  a  thousand 
pounds.     These  wrere  exported  to  France.2 

"The  Copper  Falls  Mine,  another  branch  of  the  Lake 
Superior  Company,  is  also  engaged  in  working  valuable 
veins  of  native  copper  and  silver,  and  has  sent  some  of 
their  metals  to  market. 

"  The  Northwest  Company  has  a  valuable  mine  a  few 
miles  from  Eagle  Harbor,  and  the  metal  raised  therefrom 
is  very  rich  and  abundant,  some  of  it  being  mixed  with 
sprigs  and  particles  of  metallic  silver.  This  mine,  if  opened 
with  due  skill',  and  in  as  bold  a  manner  as  that  of  the 
Boston  and  Pittsburg  Company,  at  the  cliff,  cannot  fail  to 
prove  of  great  value. 

"  The  rocks  which  contain  native  copper,  on  Keweenaw 
Point,  are  of  that  kind  called  amygdaloidal  trap,  which  is 
a  vesicular  rock,  formed  by  the  interfusion  of  sandstone 
and  trap  rock,  and  is  the  product  of  the  combination  of 
the  two  gaseous  bubbles,  or  aqueous  vapors,  which  have 
blown  it  into  a  sort  of  scoria  a-t  the  time  of  its  formation. 
It  is  in  this  rock  that  we  find  the  copper-bearing  prehnite, 
and  other  vein-stones  peculiar  to  the  copper  lodes. 

"  The  northern  or  British  shore  of  Lake  Superior  has, 
as  yet,  been  but  little  explored,  either  geologically  or  for 
minerals.  One  mine  of  blende,  or  sulphuret  of  zinc,  richly 
mixed  with  spangles  of  native  silver,  and  a  vein  of  sul- 
phuret of  copper,  have  been  discovered  at  Prince's  Bay, 

1  In  1856,  a  mass  of  pure  silver  was  discovered  in  one  of  these 
mines,  worth  $1040. 

2  Foster  and  Whitney's  Report. 


200  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

on  the  north  shore,  not  far  from  Isle  Royale.  I  know  not 
what  progress  has  been  made  in  developing  the  ores  of  this 
mine,  but  at  the  time  when  I  examined  it,  in  1847,  it  gave 
promise  of  rich  returns.  As  a  general  thing,  the  copper 
on  the  northern  shore  is  mineralized  by  sulphur,  and  occurs 
as  yellow  copper  pyrites,  or  as  gray  or  black  sulphurets  of 
copper,  while  the  copper  on  the  south  shore,  and  on  Isle 
Royale,  is  mostly  in  the  metallic  state,  and  all  the  valuable 
working  mines  are  there  opened  for  the  native  metal.  This 
is  a  remarkable  reversion  of  the  usual  laws  of  mineral  veins, 
and  was  first  discovered  and  pointed  out  by  myself;  and 
the  first  mines  for  native  copper  were  opened  by  my  advice, 
and  in  accordance  with  my  surveys,  in  1844,  as  before 
stated.  This  remarkable  region  has  certainly  surprised 
both  geologists  and  miners  by  its  wonderful  lodes  of  native 
copper,  and  by  the  lumps  of  pure  silver  which  have  been 
opened  and  brought  to  light  by  enterprising  companies  and 
skilful  engineers. 

"One  of  the  most  remarkable  associations  of  metals  is 
here  observed  in  the  intermixture  of  pure  silver  with  pure 
copper,  the  two  metals  being  perfectly  united  without  any 
alloying  of  one  with  the  other.1  This  singular  condition 
of  these  two  metals  has  puzzled  chemists  and  mineralogists ; 
and  the  solution  of  the  problem  of  their  mode  of  deposition 
in  the  veins  is  still  undiscovered.  It  is  obvious,  from  ex- 
periment, and  from  all  we  know  of  the  affinities  of  metals 
for  each  other,  that  the  native  copper  was  not  injected  in 
a  molten  state  into  the  veins.  Although  I  have  discovered 
the  manner  in  which  the  copper  veins  were  probably  formed, 
I  am  far  from  having  learned  that  of  the  silver,  for  we 
know  of  no  volatile  salt,  or  combination  of  that  metal. 

1  The  author  was  presented  with  a  lump,  weighing  over  six  ounces, 
of  the  same  description  mentioned  by  Dr.  Jackson.  On  removing  the 
copper  its  weight  was  found  to  be/our  ounces. 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  201 

"  The  rocks  known  to  belong  to  the  cupriferous  forma- 
tion of  Lake  Superior  are  all  of  igneous  formatiou,  or  have 
been  thrown  up  from  the  unknown  interior  of  the  globe  in 
a  molten  state,  and  in  long  rents,  having  a  somewhat  cres- 
centic  shape,  with  the  curve  toward  the  north  and  west ; 
the  radius  of  the  arc  not  being  far  from  thirty  miles  in 
length  on  Keweenaw  Point.  The  average  width  of  this 
belt  is  not  more  than  five  miles,  while  its  length  is  not  less 
than  two  hundred  miles.  The  Keweenaw  belt  of  trap  runs 
by  the  Ontonagon  river,  narrowing  to  only  a  mile  in  width 
in  some  parts  of  its  course,  and  then  widening  rapidly  as 
it  extends  into  Wisconsin. 

"On  the  Ontonagon  river  it  is  about  four  miles  wide; 
and  it  is  here  highly  cupriferous,  several  important  veins, 
now  wrought  by  mining  companies,  having  been  discovered 
by  the  miners  in  their  employ  on  this  river  and  in  its 
vicinity.  The  Minnesota  Mine  has  been,  thus  far,  the  most 
successful  of  those  opened  upon  this  part  of  the  trap  range. 
It  is  remarked  by  all  the  geologists  and  miners  who  have 
examined  these  rocks,  that  the  copper  ore  lies  in  the  amyg- 
daloidal  variety  of  them,  and  that  the  veins  of  native  cop- 
per are  pinched  out  into  narrow  sheets  in  the  harder  trap 
rock  which  overlies  the  amygdaloid.  This  fact  was  first 
noticed  by  Mr.  Alger  and  myself  in  the  geological  survey 
of  Nova  Scotia,  made  by  us  in  1827,  and  the  private 
geological  surveys  which  I  made  on  Keweenaw  Point,  in 
1844  and  1845,  proved  it  to  be  true  also  in  that  region  ;  so 
that  it  is  a  law  now  well  known  to  the  miner  upon  the  Lake 
Superior  land  district.  It  was  discovered,  also,  that  the 
copper  dies  out  in  the  veins  when  they  cut  through  sand- 
stone rocks." 

The  following  description  of  recent  discoveries  of  im- 
mense masses  of  copper  is  taken  from  the  Lake  Superior 
Miner  of  February  28,  185T  : 


202        -  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

"The  most  astonishing  developments  have  recently  been 
made  at  the  Minnesota  mines.  It  would  seem  that  won- 
ders were  never  to  cease  on  that  location.  Geological 
dogmatists  were  somewhat  surprised  when  they  began  to 
take  copper  in  large  masses  from  the  south  lode  of  the 
Minnesota,  and  from  the  National  mines.  It  was  against 
the  rule  which  they  had  established  in  relation  to  veins, 
because  a  vein  proper  must  cut  the  formation,  and  could 
not,  as  they  declared,  lie  between  two  kinds  of  rocks  so 
completely  dissimilar  as  trap  and  conglomerate.  The  sub- 
sequent works  on  the  Minnesota  have  proved  this  vein  to 
be  one  of  the  most  valuable  in  mineral  of  any  yet  discovered 
upon  the  globe. 

"Another  peculiar  feature  among  the  phenomena  of  this 
lode  has  been  discovered  by  the  late  openings.  They  are 
finding  immense  masses  of  copper  in  the  conglomerate 
under  the  vein.  A  few  days  since,  when  we  were  in  the 
mine,  this  was  shown  in  the  most  marked  manner  at  several 
points.  In  the  twenty-fathom  level,  east  of  No.  5  shaft, 
south  lode,  the  regular  sheet  copper  had  been  taken  from 
the  foot  wall,  and  the  yield  at  this  point  had  been  very 
great.  The  masses  were  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches 
thick.  Strings  of  copper  were  cut  off  that  seemed  to 
branch  into  the  conglomerate.  These  were  followed,  and 
led  immediately  to  very  large  masses,  some  of  which  were 
of  the  thickest  copper  ever  before  taken  from  the  mine. 
One  piece,  which  was  cut  up,  presented  a  face  of  bright 
copper  cut  by  the  chisel,  three  feet  and  nine  inches  in 
thickness.  It  was  so  thick  that  it  could  not  be  handled  in 
the  mine  without  again  dividing  longitudinally,  or  splitting, 
as  they  call  it.  Thus  the  mass  showed  two  flat  surfaces, 
at  right  angles  with  each  other,  of  bright  copper  cut  by 
the  chisel. 

"  This  point  in  the  mine  has  been  extremely  productive. 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  203 

Some  two  hundred  tons  of  large  masses  have  been  taken 
out  of  the  conglomerate  under  the  lode,  besides  the  enor- 
mous yield  of  the  vein  itself  overlying  it.  In  one  place 
the  copper  extended  into  the  conglomerate  as  far  as  sixteen 
feet  south  of  the  foot  wall. 

"  An  occurrence  of  copper  in  all  respects  similar  is  found 
to  the  west  of  No.  5,  uuder  the  adit  level.  Besides  the 
masses  in  the  regular  vein,  which  was  also  extremely  rich 
at  this  point,  they  had  taken  only  forty  or  fifty  tons  out  of 
the  conglomerate.  The  foot  wall  was  perfect,  as  in  the 
other  case,  and  the  strings  leading  into  the  conglomerate 
were  quite  small,  and  very  slightly  attached.  But  by  tri- 
fling labor  they  uncovered  a  series  of  masses  going  up  and 
down,  writh  an  eastward  inclination,  for  the  height  of  seventy 
or  eighty  feet,  aud  going  out  of  sight  both  ab .  ve  and  below. 
It  was  at  once  apparent  that  they  had  something  very 
valuable,  but  they  had  no  conception  of  the  immense  mass 
which  a  few  days'  work  disclosed.  At  one  convenient 
point  they  broke  away  behind  the  copper,  so  as  to  get  in  a 
sand-blast  of  five  or  six  kegs  of  powder.  They  then 
stripped  the  mass  further,  and  fired  again  without  result. 
Again  they  fired  nine  kegs,  and  the  mass  remained  un- 
moved. Breaking  the  rock  around  for  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, eighteen  kegs  were  shot  off  without  effect ;  and 
again  twenty-two  kegs,  and  the  copper  entirely  undisturbed 
at  any  point.  After  further  clearing,  twenty-five  kegs  were 
shot  off  under  the  copper,  aud  it  was  thought  with  some 
effect.  But  a  final  blast  of  thirty  kegs,  or  150  pounds, 
was  securely  stamped  beneath  the  mass  and  fired.  As 
soon  as  the  hot  air  and  powder-smoke  had  time  to  clear 
away,  a  mass  of  copper,  some  forty-five  feet  in  height,  and 
from  three  to  five  feet  in  thickness,  apparently  very  pure, 
and  which  will  probably  weigh  three  hundred  tons,  had 


204  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

been  shot  out,  and  was  ready  for  cutting  up.1  The  blast 
had  torn  the  immense  body  from  its  bed,  without  exhibiting 
a  sign  of  bending  or  cracking  it  in  any  place,  so  great  was 
its  thickness  and  strength.  It  was  torn  off  from  other 
masses,  which  still  remain  in  the  solid  rock. 

"About  one  hundred  feet  to  the  east  of  this  is  another 
large  mass,  which  several  parties  are  exposing,  and  from 
present  appearances  it  may  even  exceed  in  size  the  last- 
named  one. 

"These  are  near  the  point  of  the  great  counter  lode, 
of  which  we  have  spoken  heretofore,  from  which  300  to  400 
tons  of  copper  have  been  taken ;  and  the  ground  in  the 
vicinity  has  unquestionably  yielded  the  greatest  amount  of 
mineral  ever  taken  from  the  earth  in  the  same  space.  Its 
occurrence  has  been  in  three  distinct  forms:  —  1.  In  the 
counter  just  named ;  2.  In  the  regular  vein ;  and,  3.  In 
the  conglomerate  rock  under  the  vein. 

"  At  the  No.  2  shaft  they  are  sinking  below  the  sixty- 
fathom  level,  and  experience  great  difficulty  in  getting 
through  the  copper  which  they  encounter.  It  was  feared 
that  they  would  be  compelled  to  turn  the  shaft  entirely  out 
of  the  vein  to  enable  them  to  sink. 

"But  little  heavy  copper  has  hitherto  been  taken  from 
the  eastern  part  of  their  workings.  This  has  been  mainly 
owing  to  the  want  of  power  for  clearing  the  mine  of  water 

1  It  -will  probably  require  one  year  or  more  to  cut  up  this  immense 
piece  of  copper.  Eight  masses  were  taken  off  in  April,  weighing,  in 
the  aggregate,  50,601  lbs.,  to  which  should  be  added  13  bbls.  copper 
chips,  7310  lbs.,  giving  a  grand  aggregate  of  nearly  29  tons.  The 
total  amount  taken  from  it  in  every  form,  up  to  the  month  of  May, 
is  70  tons  and  592  lbs.  The  product  of  the  Minnesota  Mine  for 
April,  1857,  was  370,540  lbs.,  or  185  tons  and  550  lbs.  This  is  pro- 
bably the  largest  amount  ever  taken  from  one  mine  in  the  world  in 
a  similar  period.  The  price  of  copper  ranges  at  about  twenty-five 
cents  per  pound  at  the  mines. 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  205 

and  dirt.  The  new  engine  at  No.  6  shaft  has  been  in  ope- 
ration for  some  five  weeks.  It  is  the  most  powerful  ma- 
chine on  the  location,  works  admirably,  and  is  doing  a 
splendid  duty.  It  has  already  made  room  for  twenty-five 
or  thirty  miners  in  that  part  of  the  ground.  Masses  of 
thirty  to  forty  tons  weight  are  now  uncovered  in  the  back 
of  30,  near  Xo.  6,  the  most  eastern  shaft.  A  mass  was 
also  found  in  the  back  part  of  40,  near  the  same  shaft.  In 
the  60,  west  of  No.  3,  drifting  has  been  made  a  little  over 
a  hundred  feet,  disclosing  excellent  ground.  Connection 
has  also  been  made  between  Nos.  2  and  3,  distant  some 
two  hundred  and  thirty  feet,  showing  several  important 
masses. 

"  This  is  a  rapid  summary  of  the  new  things  to  be  seen 
under  ground  at  the  Minnesota  mines.  With  a  thousand 
tons  of  copper  in  sight,  a  considerable  part  of  which  is 
thrown  down,  with  their  abundant  openings  and  ample 
machinery,  what  do  you  think,  reader,  will  be  the  product 
of  the  Minnesota  mines  for  the  coming  year  ?  We  opine 
that  the  most  sanguine  expectations  hitherto  formed  will 
be  exceeded." 

The  gross  product  of  the  Minnesota  mine  for  the  past 
year  has  been  within  a  fraction  of  1860  tons  of  mineral.1 
The  market  value  of  this  product,  including  nearly  $1000 
worth  of  silver,  was  about  $702,000,  and  the  entire  expen- 
ditures of  the  year,  in  round  numbers,  $337,000,  leaving  a 
balance  of  $345,000  net  earnings. 

This  dividend2  will  make  the  aggregate  sum  of  six  hun- 
dred and  eighty  thousand  dollars  (being  more  than  ten 
times  the  whole  amount  of  capital  paid  in),  divided  among 

1  From  the  Report  for  the  year  1856. 

2  A  dividend  of  $300,000,  or  30  per  cent,  on  the  capital  stock,  is 
liere  alluded  to. 

'18 


206  mineral  Resources. 

the  stockholders  from  the  net  earnings  of  this  mine  for  the 
past  five  years,  viz  : 

For  1852,  $10  on  3000  shares $30,000 

"     1S53,     20             "         "      60,000 

"     1854,     30             "        "      90,000 

"     1855,     10       20,000      "      200,000 

"     1856,     15             "         "      300,000 

$680,000 

a  result  which  cannot  but  be  considered  highly  satisfactory. 
The  amount  of  copper  raised  from  the  mines  of  Lake 
Superior,  during  the  year  1856,  has  not  been  ascertained, 
nor  can  it  be  exactly  estimated.  Many  of  the  mines  allow 
their  stamp  stuff  to  accumulate  through  the  winter,  un- 
dressed, being  satisfied  that  the  delay  of  preparation  for 
market  is  more  than  compensated  by  the  saving  of  fuel,  and 
by  devoting  the  same  amount  of  labor  to  the  opening  and 
working  of  the  mines  in  warmer  weather.  The  figures 
below  are  partially  estimated,  but  are  probably  less  than 
the  truth.  The  following  tables  are  digests,  with  slight 
corrections,  from  more  elaborate  ones  prepared  for  the 
Lake  Superior  Miner,  by  Mr.  Brunschweiler,  of  Onton- 
agon, and  by  Captain  Paull,  of  the  North  American  Mine, 
and  from  official  statements. 


SHIPMENT    OP    ROUGH   COPPER   IN   TONS,  FOR    1S56\. 

From   Ontonagon. 

Mass. 

Adventure 27 

At/ee 15 

Douglas  Houghton £ 

Evergreen 4£ 

Flint  Steel  River — 

Amount  carried  forward....       47  184  230| 


Brl.  and  Stamp. 

Total 

118 

145 

40£ 

55J 

8} 

9 

15 

19i 

2 

2 

MINERAL    RESOURCES.  20? 

Mass.    Brl.  and  Stamp.    Total. 

Amount  brought  forward...       47  184  230} 

Forest 1  49  50 

J.  ft.  Grout —  22 

Mass 10  3  13 

Merchant «        —  i 

Minnesota 1361  497  1858 

National 55  60  115 

Nebraska 11  22  33 

Norwich 71  45  116 

Ohio : —  i  i 

Ohio  Trap  Rock —  4J  4J 

Peninsula —  £  4 

Ridge  4  58  62 

Rockland 91J  108  199J 

Toltee 11  49  60 

Windsor 6  16  22 

Total 1608  1099  2767 


From- Keweenaw  Point. 

Mass,  Brl.  and  Stamp. 

Central  53 

Cliff  (Pittsburg  and  Boston) 1548 

Connecticut 22 

Copper  Falls 154 

Fulton ,. 2 

North  American 328 

Northwestern  15 

Phoenix 11 

Total 2128 

From  Portage  Lake, 

Mass,  Brl.  and  Stamp. 

Isle  Royale 223 

Huron 22 

Pewabee « 103 

Portage 101 

Quincy 20 

Total 469 


208  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

Total  Shipments. 

1856.  1855. 

From  Ontonagon 2767  1984 

From  Keweenaw  Point 2128  2245 

From  Portage  Lake 462  315 

5357  4544 

Tons  of  Copper  raised  from,  the  Minnesota,   Cliff,  and  Roclcland  Mines, 
in  1856. 

Minnesota.      Cliff.      Rockland. 

Janunry 159  120  — 

February 153  127  26 

March 165  145  — 

April 159  150  — 

May 153  141  16 

June 152  140  20 

July 153  134  30 

August  155  154  33 

September  150  146  41 

October 154  146  32 

November 156  124  23 

December 150  120  24 

Total 1859  1647  245 

The  following  is  a  report  of  the  capital,  etc.,  of  the  two 
most  profitable  mining  companies  on  Lake  Superior.  Each 
of  these  companies  is  now  paying  dividends  at  the  rate 
of  30  per  cent,  per  annum  on  their  assumed  capital. 

Annual  Report,  February,  1S57. 

Nominal  Tnial  Highest 


Location  of 

Nominal        par  value 

Number  of 

paid  in 

Capital 

sites 

office. 

capital.        per  share. 

shares. 

per  share. 

paid  in. 

per  share 

Minnesota.. 

New  York 

$1,000,000         $50 

20.000 

$3-30 

$66,000 

$110 

Cliff 

Pittsburg 

6,000 

18-50 

110,905 

245 

The  whole  amount  of  copper  shipped  the  past  season,  as 
given  in  the  report  of  the  Superintendent  of  the  St.  Mary's 
Falls  Ship  Canal,  through  which  it  all  passed,  is  10,452,000 
pounds,  worth,  at  25  cents,  $2,613,000. 

The  native  copper  of  the  Lake  Superior  mines  may  be 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  209 

considered  to  be  chemically  pure.  It  dissolves  in  pure 
nitric  acid  without  leaving  a  trace  of  residuum  ;  it  gives  no 
precipitate  when  the  nitric  acid  solution  is  heated  with  am- 
monia ;  neither  on  the  addition  of  chloro-hydric  acid.  It 
dissolves  to  a  clear  solution  in  concentrated  sulphuric  acid, 
when  heated  ;  it  contains  no  trace  of  arsenic  or  other  vola- 
tile metal.  This  is  the  result  of  the  examination  of  several 
specimens  of  copper  from  the  Phoenix,  Cliff,  and  Minnesota 
mines.  A  piece  of  copper  from  the  last-named  mine,  sawn 
with  care  from  a  perfectly  pure  and  solid  mass,  was  found 
to  have  the  specific  gravity  of  8-838.1 

The  great  national  value  of  the  copper  mines  of  Lake 
Superior  will  be  seen  by  comparing  their  productions  with 
that  of  others,  in  different  parts  of  the  world.  The  sub- 
joined table  exhibits  the  foreign  mines,  together  with  the 
annual  yield  of  metal : 

Tons. 

Sweden 1,000 

Russia 2,000 

Hungary 2,000 

Hartz  Miiun tains 212 

East  Germany 143 

Hesse 500 

Norway 7,200 

United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain 14,465 

Mexico 200 

Lake  Superior  Mines,  in  1856 6,000 

IRON   ORES. 

The  iron,  no  less  than  the  copper  region,  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior, is  one  of  the  wonders  of  the  world.  The  country 
has  been  explored  sufficiently  to  enable  us  to  form  a  rough 
estimate  as  to  its  capability  of  producing  the  most  valuable 
metals   used   by  man.     Mr.  Foster,  the   eminent  U.   S. 

1  Foster  and  Whitney's  Report. 
18* 


210  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

Geologist,  says:  —  "Without  excepting  even  Missouri, 
there  is  no  region  of  the  world  where  the  specular  ores  of 
iron  are  developed  in  so  great  a  degree  of  purity,  and  on 
a  scale  of  such  magnificence,  as  in  the  district  of  Lake 
Superior.  They  occur,  not  in  veins,  not  in  beds,  but  in 
mountain  masses,  forming,  in  some  instances,  the  crowning 
summits  of  the  country." 

This  region  commences  along  the  coast  of  the  lake,  with 
the  metamorphic  rocks,  extending  from  the  Chocolate  to 
the  Dead  river,  a  distance  of  ten  miles,  following  the  shore, 
and  sweeping  away  southerly  and  westerly  across  the 
branches  of  the  Menomonee  river,  far  into  the  State  of 
Wisconsin.  A  surveyor,  in  his  report  of  the  ore  along  the 
Michigamig  river,  on  the  east  boundary  of  township  forty- 
six  north,  range  thirty  west,  says  : — "  The  river  here  forms 
a  lake-like  expansion,  and  is  bounded  on  the  northeast  by 
a  range  of  hills,  which  rise  abruptly  to  the  height  of  two 
hundred  feet  above  the  water.  We  explored  this  ridge, 
and  found  that  it  was  composed,  for  the  most  part,  of  nearly 
pure  specular  oxide  of  iron.  It  shoots  up  in  a  perpen- 
dicular cliff,  one  hundred  and  thirteen  feet  in  height,  so 
pure  that  it  is  difficult  to  determine  its  mineral  associations. 
We  passed  along  the  base  of  this  cliff  for  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  mile,  seeking  for  a  gap,  through  which  we 
might  pass,  and  gain  the  summit.  At  length,  by  clam- 
bering from  one  point  to  another,  we  succeeded.  Passing 
along  the  brow  of  the  cliff  forty  feet,  the  mass  was  com- 
paratively pure  ;  then  succeeded  a  bed  of  quartz,  composed 
of  grounded  grains,  with  small  specks  of  iron  disseminated, 
and  large,  rounded  masses  of  the  same  material  inclosed, 
constituting  a  conglomerate.  This  bed  was  fifteen  feet  in 
thickness,  and  succeeded  again  by  specular  iron,  exposed, 
in  places,  to  the  width  of  one  hundred  feet ;  but  the  soil 
and  trees  prevented  our  determining  its  entire  width.    This 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  211 

one  cliff  contains  iron  sufficient  to  supply  the  world  for 
ages ;  yet  we  saw  neither  its  length  nor  its  width,  but  only 
an  outline  of  the  mass." 

On  the  line  between  sections  ten  and  eleven  there  is  an 
elongated  knob  of  almost  pure  ore,  rising  to  the  height  of 
fifty  feet  above  the  surrounding  country.  Further  south, 
in  the  same  sections,  there  is  a  mass  of  still  greater  magni- 
tude, though  not  of  equal  purity,  on  what  is  known  as  the 
Cleveland  Company's  location.  It  rises  in  an  oblong  knob 
to  the  height  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  above  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  one  thousand  and  thirty-nine  feet 
above  Lake  Superior,  being  the  culminating  point  on  that 
meridian  line  between  the  two  lakes. 

There  are  other  localities  of  ore  in  this  region,  to  which 
we  need  not  refer.  There  is  such  an  abundance  of  it  to  be 
obtained  by  working  an  open  quarry,  that  it  can  never 
command  a  price  much  above  the  cost  of  the  labor  of  quar- 
rying and  transportation. 

"  This  iron  region  is  the  most  valuable  and  extensive  in 
the  world  for  the  manufacture  of  the  finer  varieties  of 
wrought  iron  and  steel.  "When  we  consider  the  immense 
extent  of  the  district,  the  mountain  masses  of  the  ore,  its 
purity  and  adaptation  to  the  manufacture  of  the  most  valu- 
able kinds  of  iron,  and  the  immense  forests  which  cover 
the  surface,  suitable  for  charcoal,  this  district  may  be  pro- 
nounced unrivalled.  The  ore  consists  mainly  of  the  spe- 
cular or  peroxide  of  iron,  an  admixture  of  the  fine-grained 
magnetic.  In  some  instances,  the  whole  ridge  or  knob 
appears  to  consist  of  one  mass  of  pure  ore  —  so  pure  that 
no  selection  is  required ;  but  an  unlimited  quantity  might 
be  quarried  or  picked  up  in  loose  blocks  around  the  slopes. 
In  others,  the  ore  is  mixed  with  seams  of  quartz  or  jasper, 
which  renders  it  less  valuable,  and  requires  some  care  fur 
the  selection.     The  iron,  in  such  oases,  presents  a  banded 


212  MINERAL    RESOURCES. 

or  contorted  structure,  or  alternating  seams  of  steel-gray 
and  brilliant  red.  The  appearance  of  a  mountain  cliff, 
thus  made  up,  is  extraordinary.  The  iron  mountain  of 
Missouri  becomes  insignificant  compared  with  these  im- 
mense deposits." 

In  1849,  two  samples  of  this  iron,  selected  without  care 
from  among  the  products  of  the  Jackson  forge,  were  placed 
in  the  hands  of  Major  Wade,  of  the  Ordnance  Department 
—  whose  office  it  is  to  test  the  tenacity  of  the  guns  made 
for  Government  —  for  the  purpose  of  experiment.  The 
results  obtained  were  as  follows  : 

Sample  No.  1,  7,550  density,  89-582  lbs.  pressure  to  square  inch. 
"        No.  2,  7,768       "        72-885        "  "  " 

In  the  second  sample  there  was  a  slight  flaw  observed 
after  it  was  parted,  which  would  account  for  its  inferior 
tenacity.  These  results  give  an  unparalleled  tenacity,  and 
prove  the  high  value  of  this  iron. 

The  following  are  the  results  of  the  numerous  experi- 
ments of  Professor  Walter  R.  Johnson,  on  the  tenacity  of 
bar-iron  in  various  parts  of  the  world  : 

Strength  in  lbs.  per  square  inch. 

Iron  from  Salisbury,  Ct,  by  means  of  40  trials 58-009 

"  Sweden,  4     "     58-184 

"  Centre  County,  Pa.,  15     "     58-400 

"  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  2     "     58661 

"  Mclntyre,  Essex  Co.,  N.Y.,    4     "     58-912 

"  England  (cable  bolt,  E.  V.),  5     "     59-105 

"  Prussia,  5     "     76-069 

To  which  we  add  the  tenacity  of  the  Carp  River  iron, 

Lake  Superior,  as  determined  by  Major  Wade 89-582 

The  transactions  in  iron  ore,  for  the  past  year,  says  the 
"Lake  Superior  Journal,"  though  small  iu  comparison 
with  what  can  and  will  be  done,  exceed,  by  far,  the  antici- 
pations of  those  interested.     The  ore  has  been  successfully 


MINERAL    RESOURCES.  213 

introduced  into  market,  where  it  sells  readily  at  high  prices. 
The  shipments,  for  the  year  1856,  were,  for  the  Cleveland 
Iron  Mining  Company,  6536  gross  tons,  making  a  total  of 
10,036  tons  mined  ;  for  the  Sharon  Iron  Mining  Company, 
449T  gross  tons,  and  the  same  have  now  on  the  dock,  ready 
for  shipment,  2805  gross  tons,  making  a  total  of  7352  tons  ; 
the  Eureka  Iron  Mining  Company  have  shipped  2000  gross 
tons,  and  have  some  600  more  ready  for  shipment,  giving 
them  a  total  of  2600  tons  mined.  The  whole  amount 
shipped  being  13,033  gross  tons,  and  the  total  amount 
mined  20,538  gross  tons,  which,  at  $5  per  ton,  the  lowest 
price  quoted,  would  net  $102,690.  These  shipments  may 
look  small,  but  it  should  be  remembered  that  this  is  the 
first  really  active  season,  and  it  was  the  finishing  of  the  ex- 
perimental work. 

When  this  is  taken  into  consideration,  with  the  fact  that 
the  trade  has  been  established  on  a  firm  basis,  it  is  highly 
gratifying.  From  the  preparations  now  making  by  the 
companies  already  in  operation,  and  by  others  who  will 
shortly  commence,  it  is  estimated  that  the  shipments  for 
1857  will  exceed  in  value  $1,000,000. 

Although  the  facilities  for  shipping  ore  from  Lake  Supe- 
rior are  unrivalled  —  the  mines  being  from  five  to  twenty 
miles  only  distant  from  the  lake  —  yet,  during  part  of  the 
year,  these  mines,  with  the  men  who  work  them,  and  the 
villages  and  towns  supported  by  them,  are,  for  all  practical 
business  purposes  and  communication,  locked  up  from  the 
rest  of  the  world ;  they  depend  for  their  supplies  entirely 
upon  the  East  and  South,  and  these  supplies  must  be  pro- 
vided by  the  shipping  on  the  lake  before  navigation  closes 
in  the  autumn. 

Fortunately  for  the  Lake  Superior  country,  the  General 
Government,  as  we  have  before  mentioned,  granted  a  large 
body  of  these  valuable   mineral  lands  to   the   States  of 


214  CHARACTER    OP    THE    SOTL. 

Michigan  and  Wisconsin,  to  bnild  railroads  through  them. 
As  soon  as  these  contemplated  communications  are  opened, 
there  will  be  but  few  days  in  the  year  in  which  conveyance 
to  and  from  the  mines  cannot  be  had  with  every  market 
connected  with  the  entire  line  of  iron  road  from  the  lake  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  We  are  convinced  that  the  construc- 
tion of  these  railroads  would  cause  many  of  the  copper 
mines  (which  are  at  present  suspended)  to  be  worked  at  a 
profit,  by  reason  of  the  facilities  it  would  give  for  reducing 
the  cost  of  labor  and  supplies,  and  would  obviate  the 
necessity  now  existing  for  the  heavy  outlay  of  capital  re- 
quired to  procure  all  the  necessary  means  one  year  in 
advance. 

CHARACTER   OF   THE   SOIL. 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  soil  of  the  Lake  Supe- 
rior country  is  unfit  for  cultivation  ;  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  preferable  to  that  of  New  England.  The  materials, 
in  some  of  the  eastern  parts  of  the  district,  consists  of  fine 
sand,  forming  the  "pine  plains"  south  of  the  "Pictured 
Rocks."  The  coarse  drift  which  abounds  on  the  southern 
slope  affords  a  warm  dry  soil,  which  will  require  repeated 
dressings  to  make  it  productive,  after  the  vegetable  mould 
shall  have  been  exhausted.  The  region  where  it  prevails 
is  not  low  and  marshy,  but  is  thrown  into  gentle  undula- 
tions, like  the  rolling  prairies  of  Illinois.  Such  is  the 
character  of  the  lower  valley  of  the  Menomonee. ' 

The  northern  part  of  Wisconsin,  bordering  on  the  lake, 
ranks  first  in  agricultural  capacity.  Dr.  Owen2  says  :  — 
"  The  red  clay  and  marl  lands,  occupying  the  high  plains 
skirting  Lake  Superior,  are  characterized  particularly  by 
the  predominance  of  oxide  of  iron,  from  which  they  derive 
their  color,  and  which  amounts  to  four  and  a  half  per  cent., 

1  J.  W.  Foster's  Report.  2  Geological  Report. 


CHARACTER    OF    THE    SOIL.  215 

or  nearly  one  half  of  the  weight  of  the  saline  matter  ;  it  is 
always  a  retentive  soil,  from  the  abundance  of  argillaceous 
earth  which  enters  into  its  composition.  And  it  may  be 
compared,  in  quality,  to  the  red  lands  of  Maryland  and 
Virginia,  bordering  on  the  Potomac  river,  in  Montgomery 
and  Loudon  counties,  which  produce  wheat  crops  that  can 
scarcely  be  excelled." 

The  same  author  remarks,  in  relation  to  the  soil  of  Made- 
line island,  which  lies  opposite  La  Pointe  county,  Wis- 
consin : —  "That  portion  of  the  soil  of  this  island  fit  for 
cultivation,  produces  potatoes,  and  all  manner  of  garden 
vegetables  and  roots  in  great  luxuriance.  In  the  flat,  wet 
parts,  both  the  soil  and  the  climate  are  favorable  to  grass, 
and  the  crop  is  certain  and  stout.  Oats  do  well ;  on  good 
soil  I  have  no  doubt  that  wheat  would  be  a  good  and  sure 
crop,  if  well  cultivated." 

The  editor  of  the  Chicago  Democratic  Press,  who  visited 
a  vegetable  garden  on  this  island  in  July,  1856,  says  :  — 
"It  is  by  far  the  best  and  most  productive  one  that  we 
have  seen  this  season.  True,  the  fruits  ripen  later  than 
they  do  with  ns,  but  they  are  fine  and  perfect."  The  spa- 
cious garden  of  Mr.  Austrian,  to  which  he  alludes,  is  one 
of  the  most  attractive  spots  on  the  island.  Luxuriant 
vegetables  of  all  kinds  were  raised  last  summer  ;  also  cher- 
ries, apples,  and  grapes.  The  latter  part  of  September, 
1856,  Mr.  A.  sent  the  following  productions,  raised  in  his 
garden,  to  the  editors  of  the  Superior  Chronicle,  viz :  One 
ruta  baga  turnip,  weighing  seven  pounds,  a  beautiful  ear 
of  Genesee  flint  corn,  several  bunches  of  ripe  tomatoes, 
citrons,  squashes,  carrots,  beets,  some  marrow-fat  peas, 
three  varieties  of  apples,  and  a  bunch  of  flowers.  The 
author  himself  measured  some  stalks  of  rye,  raised  on  a 
claim  near  the  City  of  Superior,  which,  although  not  fully 
ripe,  were  five  feet  six  inches  in  height,  and  he  is  confident, 


216  FISHERIES. 

that  had  some  of  the  vegetables  raised  in  the  same  place 
been  exhibited  at  the  United  States  Agricultural  Fair, 
they  would  without  difficulty  have  secured  the  Jirst  prize. 

FISHERIES   OF  LAKE    SUPERIOR. 

The  products  of  the  fisheries  of  Lake  Superior  are  of 
great  importance  to  the  inhabitants  and  States  which  lie  on 
its  borders.  It  abounds  with  the  most  delicious  fresh  water 
fish  known.  The  flavor  of  its  trout,  white  fish,  and  others, 
is  much  superior  to  that  of  the  other  lakes,  and  they  com- 
mand a  higher  price  in  market.  "One  species,"  says  Mr. 
Andrews,  "  the  sislcawit,1  has  only  to  be  known  in  the  New 
York  and  Eastern  markets,  in  order  to  supersede  all  varie- 
ties of  sea  fish,  for  unquestionably  none  approach  it  in  suc- 
culence and  flavor."  This  fish  is  preferred  by  the  Indians 
on  account  of  its  fatness.  They  are  readily  caught  by  the 
hook,  but  the  usual  method  is  by  means  of  gill  nets,  set  a 
yard  or  two  from  the  bottom,  in  water  of  about  two  hun- 
dred feet  in  depth ;  the  lower  edge  of  the  net  is  then  an- 
chored by  weights  attached  to  cords,  while  the  upper  edge 
is  sustained  by  means  of  floats.  The  siskawit  weighs 
from  five  to  twenty  pounds. 

The  white  fish2  are  preferred  to  all  others  by  the  white 
inhabitants  and  travellers.  There  are  two  kinds  of  lake 
trout,3  each  weighing  from  twelve  to  fifty  pounds.  The 
sturgeon  are  quite  remarkable,  not  only  in  size,  but  in 
flavor ;  pickerel,  pike,  carp,  black  fish,  and  herring,  are 
also  abundant.  Large  quantities  of  these  fish  are  packed 
annually  at  Siskawit  Bay,  Isle  Royale,  at  La  Pointe,  and 
many  other  places  along  the  northern  and  southern  shores, 
for  the  Eastern  and  Western  markets.  This  branch  of 
commerce  is  increasing  very  fast,  in  consequence  of  the 

1  Pereopsis  Guttatus.       2  Coregonus  Albus.       3  Salmo  Amethystus. 


COMMERCE.  21T 

opening  of  the  Sault  Canal,  and  rapid  increase  of  settle- 
ment along  its  coast.  The  waters  of  Lake  Superior  are 
teeming  with  life,  and  from  the  south  shore  alone  50,000 
barrels  might  be  yearly  sent  to  market. 

COMMERCE   OP   LAKE   SUPERIOR, 

It  is  very  difficult  to  procure  correct  information  of  the 
commerce  of  this  lake,  owing  to  the  fact  that  it  has  only 
recently  been  opened  to  direct  navigation  with  the  other 
lakes,  and  from  the  extreme  inaccuracy  and  looseness  of  the 
returns  reported.  The  business  of  the  Lake  Superior 
country,  for  1851,  is  estimated  by  Mr.  Andrews  as  follows, 
for  the  articles  which  crossed  the  portage  at  the  Sault  Ste. 
Marie  : 

Imports,  100,000  barrels  bulk;  in  which  are  included 
2000  bundles  pressed  hay,  20,000  bushels  of  oats,  and 
other  kinds  of  grain,  provisions,  dry  goods,  groceries, 
general  supplies,  and  five  mining  engines ;  forming  au 
aggregate  estimated  value  of  $1,000,000. 

The  exports  passing  around  the  rapids,  for  the  same 
season,  are  as  follows  : 

1800  tons  of  copper,  at  $350 $630,000 

500  tons  of  iron  blooms,  at  $50  25,000 

4000  barrels  of  fish,  at  $5 20,000 

The  imports  are  about  40,000  barrels  bulk  in  excess  of 
the  imports  of  1850. 

The  receipts  for  tolls  on  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie  Canal,  for 
the  season  of  1856,  amounted  to  $11,950  44. 

COMPARATIVE    ESTIMATE    OF   FREIGHT. 

Up  Frciijht. 

1855.  1856.  Total. 

Barrels  bulk 76,468  119,259  195,727 

T»ns 4,373  11,568  15,941 

19 


218  COMMERCE. 

Down  Freight. 

1855.  1856.  Total. 

Copper,  in  tons 3,196£  6,726£  8,923 

Iron  blooms,  in  tons -     1,040  781  1,821 

Iron  ore 1,447  11,597  13,044 

Estimated  value  of  up  freight $2,5-00,000 

"  "        down  freight.. 2,875,000 

Total $5,375,000 

Lumber  to  the  extent  of  395,295  feet  passed  through 
the  canal.  The  importation  of  this  article  will  doubtless 
entirely  cease  in  a  few  years,  and  the  exportation  of  it 
form,  eventually,  a  conspicuous  item  in  the  trade  of  Lake 
Superior,  as  already  a  large  number  of  saw-mills,  of  suffi- 
cient capacity  to  supply  all  demands,  are  at  work  at  the 
head  of  the  lake. 

At  present,  there  are  about  twelve  propellers  and  steam 
vessels  engaged  in  the  commerce  of  this  "  mighty  inland 
sea."  It  requires  a  voyage  of  about  four  days,  including 
numerous  stoppages,  to  convey  passengers  and  freight  from 
Chicago  to  the  City  of  Superior,  at  the  head  of  the  lake, 
and  the  same  time  from  Cleveland.  The  North  Star,  a 
favorite  boat,  made  the  trip  in  June,  1851,  from  Detroit, 
in  three  days.  On  their  return  voyage  they  take  in  cop- 
per, in  masses  and  barrels,  iron  ores  and  bars,  fish,  ship's 
knees,  &c.'  A  number  of  sailing  vessels  are  also  engaged 
in  this  commerce. 

The  average  close  of  navigation  at  the  head  of  Lake 
Superior,  for  the  past  two  years,  has  been  about  the  1st  of 
December,2  and  the  average  opening  about  the  middle  of 

1  Captain  Church,  of  the  St.  Mary's  river,  exported,  in  1850,  ten 
tons  of  raspberry  jam. 

2  In  1855,  the  schooner  Algonquin  left  the  port  of  Superior,  on 
her  return  voyage,  the  17th  of  December. 


SAULT    STE.     MARIE    CANAL.  219 

April.  From  these  facts  it  will  be  observed  that  the  lake 
is  susceptible  of  navigation  for  nearly  eight  months  in  the 
year,  and  about  two  weeks  longer  than  the  Upper  Mis- 
sissippi. 

BAULT    STE.   MARIE   CANAL. 

The  outlet  of  Lake  Superior  is  through  the  St.  Mary's 
river,  which  is  sixty  miles  in  length,  connecting  it  with 
Lake  Huron.  At  some  places  it  spreads  out  into  little 
lakes  ;  at  others,  rushes  through  narrow  rapids,  or  winds 
around  beautiful  islands.  Its  entire  length  is  navigable  as 
far  as  the  falls  —  the  "Sault"  of  the  river  having  a  descent 
of  twenty-two  feet  within  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  Until 
the  year  1855,  the  only  inlet  for  merchandise,  or  outlet  for 
the  produce  of  this  vast  lake,  and  the  wide  regions  de- 
pendent upon  it,  was  in  the  portage  around  the  "  Sault," 
across  which  every  article  had  to  be  transported,  at  prodi- 
gious labor  and  expense.  In  1851,  the  fleet  of  the  lake 
consisted  of  two  steamers,  four  propellers,  and  a  consi- 
derable number  of  smaller  craft,  all  of  which  had  been 
dragged  overland,  by  man  and  horse,  across  the  isthmus. 
These  vessels  were  constantly  employed  carrying  up  sup- 
plies, and  bringing  back  returns  of  ore  and  metal,  and  yet, 
under  all  these  disadvantages  and  drawbacks,  the  traffic 
was  profitable  and  progressive. 

After  continued  efforts  had  been  made,  for  many  years, 
to  induce  the  General  Government  to  construct  a  ship  canal 
around  these  rapids,  Congress,  in  1852,  offered  to  the  State 
of  Michigan  '150,000  acres  of  land  to  aid  in  completing  it, 
and  the  Legislature  of  that  State  contracted  to  give  these 
lands,  free  of  taxation,  for  five  years,  to  Erastus  Corning, 
and  others,  in  consideration  that  the  proposed  canal  should 
be  in  navigable  order  by  the  19th  of  May,  1855.  The 
work  was  finished  at  the  appoiuted  time,  and  is  superior  to 


220  SAULT    STE.     MARIE    CANAL. 

anything  of  its  kind  on  this  continent.  Its  locks  are  the 
largest  in  the  world.  The  combined  length  of  the  two 
sides  and  wings  of  the  two  locks  together  is  nearly  one- 
third  of  a  mile,  all  of  solid  masonry,  twenty-five  feet  high, 
ten  feet  thick  at  the  base,  with  buttresses  six  feet  in  width 
at  the  distance  of  every  twelve  feet,  all  faced  with  cut  white 
limestone,  equal  to  the  best  of  this  State.  The  gates  are 
each  forty  feet  wide.  The  canal  is  one  hundred  feet  wide 
at  the  top  of  the  water,  and  one  hundred  and  fifteen  at  the 
top  of  its  banks,  containing  a  depth  of  water  of  twelve 
feet,  and  is  principally  excavated  through  rock.  This  ship 
canal  is  a  magnificent  piece  of  workmanship,  and  has 
opened  to  the  lower  lakes  a  navigation  of  fully  a  thousand 
miles.  Mr.  Andrews  forcibly  remarks  :  —  "  Our  shipping 
will  have  an  uninterrupted  sweep  over  waters  which 
drain  more  than  three  hundred  thousand  square  miles  of 
a  region  abounding  in  mineral  and  agricultural  re- 
sources. They  may  be  water-borne  nearly  half  way 
across  the  continent.  The  inexhaustible  elements  of  wealth 
on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  will  then  become  avail- 
able." Again  he  says  :  —  "  So  soon  as  the  canal  above- 
mentioned  shall  be  completed,  the  summer  tour  of  travel- 
lers xoill  be  extended  to  a  cruise  around  Lake  Superior, 
and  from  La  Pointe  many  will  cross  over  to  the  Falls  of 
St.  Anthony,  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  importance 
of  this  enterprise  can  hardly  be  over-estimated,  and  its 
consequence  will  be  the  vast  facilitation  and  increase  of  the 
commerce  of  Lake  Superior,  and  the  incalculable  enhance- 
ment of  the  value  of  the  public  lands,  while  a  tide  of  emi- 
gration may  be  expected  from  Norway,  Sweden,  and  the 
north  of  Europe,  as  well  as  from  the  New  England  States, 
pouring  into  the  northwestern  wilderness,  subduing  the 
forests,  and  extending  far  and  wide  the  area  of  civilization. 


GENERAL    REMARKS.  221 

The  time  will  doubtless  come  when  a  canal  or  railway  will 
be  made  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony." 

It  affords  the  author  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  bear 
bis  testimony  to  the  accomplishment  of  these  predictions 
of  Mr.  Andrews  in  his  interesting  report  to  Government. 
The  summer  tour  which  he  mentions,  from  Lake  Superior 
to  the  Mississippi  river,  has  already  been  made  by  great 
numbers,  not  only  from  La  Pointe,  but  also  from  the  City 
of  Superior.  During  the  past  winter,  a  line  of  sleighs 
conveyed  passengers  tri-weekly  between  the  latter  place  and 
St.  Paul.  Many  Norwegian  and  other  emigrants  have 
already  arrived,  and  it  is  expected  that  at  least  leu  thou- 
sand more  will  reach  the  Lake  Superior  country  this  year. 

A  railroad  is  now  under  construction  from  the  City  of 
Superior  to  St.  Paul,  and  the  contractors  are  to  have  it 
completed  by  July,  1859.  The  feasibility  of  constructing 
a  canal  from  the  lake  to  the  Mississippi  river,  is  demon- 
strated by  the  fact  that  the  first  steam  propeller,  the  Man- 
hattan, in  1850  passed  up  the  St.  Louis  river,  at  the  head 
of  the  lake,  as  far  as  Fond  du  Lac  village.  The  river,  at 
the  time,  was  not  above  its  ordinary  stage,  and  at  the 
lowest  part  sounded  there  was  over  six  feet  water  in  the 
channel.  "This  brings  the  steam  navigation  on  Lake 
Superior  within  thirty-five  miles  of  the  Mississippi,  at  the 
mouth  of  Sandy  Lake  river."1  We  believe  the  distance  is 
but  six  miles  from  the  St.  Louis  to  the  Savanna  river, 
which  flows  into  Sandy  Lake.  This  route  is  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  in  the  northwest,  from  the  first  discovery 
of  the  lake  to  the  present  time.  How  surprised  would 
either  Mr.  Andrews,  Dr.  Owen,  or  General  Cass  be,  were 
they  to  visit  again  these  regions.  On  the  shores  of  the  Bay 
of  Superior  stands  the  youngest  and  largest  city  of  the 
lake  ;  steamboats  arrive  at  its  piers  tri-weekly,  and  connect 

1  Oweu's  Geological  Report. 
19* 


222  GENERAL    REMARKS. 

there  with  smaller  steamers  for  the  new  towns  on  the  St. 
Louis  river,  viz  :  Middleton,  Du  Luth,  Oneota,  Wahba- 
gon,  and  Fond  du  Lac,  besides  other  boats,  touching  at 
perhaps  a  dozen  or  more  towns  along  the  north  shore  of 
the  lake.1  The  shrill  whistle  of  the  "iron  horse"  is  heard 
where,  at  the  date  of  the  publication  of  Dr.  Owen's  Sur- 
vey, in  1852,  was  a  dense  wilderness. 

Mr.  Andrews  again  remarks:  —  "Possibly  we  may  see 
the  trade  of  Hudson1  s  Bay  flowing  into  the  United  States, 
through  Lake  Superior  and  our  other  great  lakes  and 
rivers.  For  that  great  bay  is  but  fifteen  days1  canoe 
voyage  from  Lake  Superior,  and  the  portages  are  few 
and  not  long,  so  that  the  British  Hudson's  Bay  Fur  Com- 
pany carry  on  constant  communication  with  their  factories 
upon  the  bay  from  their  posts  upon  Lake  Superior;  and 
their  agents  at  the  British  posts  in  Oregon  travel  from  their 
stations  on  the  borders  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  by  way  of 
Hudson's  Bay  and  Lake  Superior,  on  their  route  to  Great 
Britain."  The  little  steamer  James  Carson  arrived  at 
the  City  of  Superior,  June  Qth,  1 857,  from  Fond  du  Lao, 
with  forty  passengers,  and  about  six  thousand  dollars' 

WORTH    OF    FURS. 

We  cannot  agree  with  several  of  the  Chicago  journals, 
who,  on  account  of  the  "  grant  of  lands"  to  Minnesota,  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from  St.  Paul  to  Pem- 
bina, infer  that,  when  this  is  accomplished,  "the  question 
of  the  trade  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Territory  will  be  forever 
settled,  and  Chicago  will  be  the  depot  for  the  furs  of  that 
region."  It  has  always  been  an  acknowledged  fact,  that 
transportation  by  the  water  is  far  cheaper  than  by  land, 
and  why  furs  and  merchandise  should  be  carried  such 
an  immense  distance  over  railroads  to  and  from  Chicago 
we  do  not  understand,  especially  when  they  can  be  sent 
1  S«e  steamboat  advertisements. 


GENERAL    REMARKS.  223 

from  the  City  of  Superior  to  all  parts  of  the  world  on 
steamboats,  without  reshipment,  each  city  being  at  the  head 
of  a  great  lake,  and  possessing  equal  advantages  of  direct 
communication  with  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

A  glance  at  the  map  of  the  United  States  is  all  that  is 
necessary  to  satisfy  any  reflecting  mind  of  the  important 
position  occupied  by  Lake  Superior,  and  the  influence  it 
is  soon  destined  to  exercise  on  the  commercial  affairs  of 
this  continent.  In  a  few  years,  when  the  contemplated 
railroads  are  completed,  it  will  become  the  principal  avenue 
of  intercourse  between  the  Eastern  and  Northwestern  por- 
tions of  our  extended  country.  In  addition  to  its  vast 
mineral  and  lumber  resources,  and  extensive  fisheries,  the 
present  unexampled  flood  of  immigration  to  its  shores 
should  not  be  overlooked.  Now,  all  this  teeming  popula- 
tion must  have  access  to  Eastern  markets,  and  the  greater 
the  facilities  afforded  to  them  the  greater  will  be  their 
increase,  prosperity,  and  commerce. 

Should  anything  herein  contained  appear  exaggerated, 
let  it  be  remembered,  that  for  the  last  ten  years  the  wildest, 
the  boldest  anticipations  respecting  the  Northwest  have 
been  more  than  realized  ;  had  it  been  predicted  that  these 
almost  boundless  wilds  should  at  this  day  be  the  dwelling- 
place  of  thousands  of  freemen,  that  towns  vieing  in  popu- 
lation and  wealth  with  many  on  the  Atlantic  border,  should 
in  that  period  have  arisen,  and  that  Lake  Superior  should 
be  traversed  weekly  by  lines  of  steamboats,  it  would  have 
been  deemed  beyond  measure  extravagant ;  yet  all  this  is 
sober  reality,  and  at  this  moment  the  onward  march  of  this 
great  region  in  population,  wealth,  and  resources,  is  more 
rapid  than  at  any  former  period. 


CHAPTER   III. 

CITY  OF  SUPERIOE — ITS  SITUATION — HARBOR — ADVANTAGES 
—  RAILROADS  —  RISE  AND  HISTORY  —  PROGRESS  —  AGRI- 
CULTURAL RESOURCES  OF  THE  NEMADJI  AND  ST.  LOUIS 
RIVERS. 

The  City  of  Superior,  situated  on  the  Bay  of  Superior 
and  Nemadji  river,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  on  an 
elevation  of  thirty-four  feet,  possesses  a  better  site,  a  better 
harbor,  and  greater  natural  advantages  for  a  commercial 
city,  than  any  other  point  in  the  Northwest.  Its  harbor  is 
the  largest  on  the  lake,  and  is  admirably  sheltered  from 
storms  by  two  points  of  land  projecting  out  from  the  States 
of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  forming  a  bay  of  over  six 
miles  in  length  by  one  in  width,  large  enough  to  accommo- 
date the  shipping  of  the  entire  chain  of  lakes.  The  en- 
trance from  the  lake  is  about  half  a  mile  wide,  with  suffi- 
cient depth  of  water  for  any  vessel  which  can  pass  through 
the  ship  canal  at  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  Vessels  can  enter 
into  this  magnificent  land-locked  harbor  in  all  winds,  and 
are  secure  from  the  heaviest  storm  which  could  arise  in  the 
winter  season.  The  Government  is  now  constructing  a 
lighthouse  on  Minnesota  Point,  at  the  entrance  of  this 
bay. 

Besides  these  advantages.,  the  City  of  Superior  is  the 
most  western  point  accessible  to  ocean  vessels  in  North 
America,  and  it  enjoys  uninterrupted  water  communication 
with  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  via  the  British  American  canals 

(224) 


CITY    OF    SUPERIOR.  225 

and  the  St.  Lawrence  river.  Its  situation  corresponds  ex- 
actly with  that  of  Chicago,  it  being  the  chief  port,  and  at 
the  head  of  navigation  of  a  great  lake,  and  the  point  where 
the  railroads  from  the  interior  of  the  State  will  terminate. 

As  Wisconsin  and  the  States  and  Territories  lying  north 
and  west  of  it  advance,  and  the  commerce  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior increases,  as  that  of  Lake  Michigan  has  done,  there  is 
no  reason  why  Superior  may  not  become  a  second  Chicago. 

Its  position  at  the  furthest  extremity  of  Lake  Superior, 
commanding  the  country  lying  north  and  west  of  the  lake, 
and  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  shows  that  Nature  has 
marked  this  spot  for  the  great  commercial  city  of  this 
mighty  inland  sea. 

Nor  is  there  any  apparent  limit  to  its  increase.  The 
great  States  and  cities  which  are  growing  up  in  the  North- 
west, will  find  their  cheapest  outlet  to  the  seaboard  by  the 
channel  of  the  lakes.  Peopled,  as  they  are  now  being, 
with  a  rapidity  which  has  no  parallel,  these  new  States  are 
fast  rivalling  in  wealth  and  importance  the  older  communi- 
ties of  the  Eastern  frontier,  and  are  drawing  from  them, 
rapidly  and  steadily,  the  capital  and  vitality  which  were 
once  all  their  own.  Railroads  are  in  process  of  construc- 
tion to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  to  other  points  beyond, 
which  will  soon  command  the  produce  and  commerce  of  the 
interior. 

The  experiment  of  an  uninterrupted  navigation  from  the 
Lakes  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean  was  proved  by  the  successful 
voyage  of  the  schooner  Dean  Richmond,  in  the  spring  of 
1856,  from  Chicago  to  Liverpool,  and  the  arrival  of  the 
British  schooner  Madeira  Pet,  the  \ith  of  July,  1857, 
with  a  cargo  of  merchandise  from  Liverpool,  at  Chicago. 
These  voyages  are  destined  to  work  an  entire  revolution  in 
the  internal  traffic  of  the  Western  States,  and  will  lead  to 
an  extended  and  increasing  intercourse  with  Europe.     The 


226  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

application  of  steam  will  overcome  the  delays  of  navigation, 
and  the  path  opened  by  the  "Dean  Richmond"  and  the 
"  Madeira  Pet"  will  be  thronged  with  the  flags  of  every 
nation.  What  is  true  of  Chicago  is  true  of  the  City  of 
Superior.  What  is  possible  by  the  St.  Lawrence  river  and 
canals  is  equally  possible  with  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  The 
unrivalled  chain  of  inland  navigation  to  the  heart  of  this 
continent  does  not  end  with  Chicago.  It  is  complete  to 
the  City  of  Superior. 

What  may  be  said  in  favor  of  the  lakes  as  an  outlet 
from  the  great  West,  may,  for  all  purposes  of  business  and 
settlement,  be  urged  for  them  as  an  inlet  from  the  ocean. 
The  productions  of  the  Northwest  are  now  shipped,  in  the 
very  centre  of  America,  for  the  remotest  parts  of  Europe, 
and  the  best  class  of  emigrants — always  an  invaluable  cargo 
—  embark  almost  at  their  own  doors,  and  are  conveyed  to 
the  very  places  in  which  they  desire  to  settle.  An  advan- 
tage of  the  highest  importance,  as  it  saves  them  from  the 
inconveniences,  delays,  and  impositions,  which  now  too 
often  attend  their  journey  westward.  In  a  short  time, 
emigrants  can  purchase  tickets  for  Wisconsin  in  the  very 
heart  of  Europe,  which  will  take  them  over  two  thousandr 
miles  into  the  interior  of  America,  without  transhipment, 
and  with  no  greater  inconvenience  than  might  attend  their 
journey  from  their  homes  to  the  ports  of  departure.1 

We  will  give  the  distances  from  Liverpool  to  Quebec, 
to  prove  that  the  sailing  distance  between  them  is  —  if  the 
Straits  of  Belle  Isle  be  followed,  400  miles,  and  if  the 
southern  route  be  taken,  some  200  miles  —  shorter  than 
between  Liverpool  and  New  York. 

1  At  present,  large  numbers  of  emigrants  are  daily  reaching  Wis- 
consin through  Canada.  On  arrival  at  Quebec,  they  take  passage  on 
steamboats  for  different  ports  on  Lakes  Michigan  and  Superior. 


ADVANTAGES.  221 

The  distances  are  as  follows  : 

Miles. 
From  Quebec  to  Liverpool,  via  north  of  Ireland  and  Straits 

of  Belle  Isle '. 2680 

From  Quebec  to  Galway,  via  north  of  Ireland  and  Straits 

of  Belle  Isle 1800 

From  New  York  to  Galway 2815 

"             "               Liverpool 3073 

Another  advantage  of  this  route  is,  that  a  third  of  the 
distance  to  Quebec  is  within  the  Gulf  and  River  St.  Law- 
rence, where  a  steamer  will  sail  faster,  being  less  impeded 
there  than  by  the  heavy  swells  of  the  Atlantic.  ^ 

Miles. 
The  distance  from  Quebec,  via  dnily  steamers,  to  Montreal,  is...     180 

"  "  Montreal  to  Cleveland,  daily  steamers,  is 661 

«  "  Cleveland  to  City  of  Superior,       "        is 1091 

Total 1932 

To  appreciate  the  magnitude  of  the  canals  and  their 
locks  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  it  is  necessary  to  give  a  de- 
scription of  some  of  the  most  important  of  them.  The 
Welland  Canal  is  a  very  important  work,  connecting  Lakes 
Ontario  and  Erie.  Its  locks  are  150  feet  in  length  of 
chamber,  by  a  width  of  26 2  feet,  its  dimensions  being  well 
suited  for  the  class  of  vessels  best  adapted  to  the  Western 
lakes,  of  which  large  numbers  pass  through  it,  as  well  of 
Canadian  as  American  crafts.  This  canal  is  28  miles  in 
length,  having  about  30  cut-stone  locks,  and  is  lighted  with 
gas  for  the  night  operations  ;  the  brilliant  burners  marking 
its  course  for  a  long  distance.  Notwithstanding  these  pre- 
cautions, it  is  with  difficulty  that  the  immense  trade  be- 
tween the  upper  and  lower  lakes  can  be  accommodated. 
It  surmounts  an  elevation  between  Lakes  Ontario  and  Erie 
of  330  feet,  while  the  elevation  from  tide  water  to  Lake 
Ontario  being  over  200  feet,  is  overcome  by  the  St.  Law- 


228  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

rence  canals,  seven  in  number,  of  various  lengths,  from  12 
miles  to  one  mile  (but  in  the  aggregate  only  41  miles  of 
canal),  having  locks  200  feet  in  length  between  the  gates, 
and  45  feet  in  width,  with  an  excavated  trunk  from  100  to 
140  feet  wide  on  the  water  surface,  and  a  depth  of  ten  feet 
of  water.  These  canals  are  chiefly  used  for  ascending  the 
stream,  as  large  steamers,  drawing  seven  feet  water,  with 
passengers  and  mails,  leave  Kingston,  at  the  foot  of  Lake 
Ontario,  in  the  morning,  and  without  passing  through  a 
single  lock,  reach  the  wharf  at  Montreal  the  same  day 
before  dark. 

In  the  year  1853,  there  passed  through  the  Welland 
Canal  2743  British  sailing  vessels  and  917  steamers,  and 
2705  American  sailing  vessels  and  349  steamers.  Through 
the  St.  Lawrence  canals  there  passed,  in  the  same  year, 
5457  British  sailing  vessels  and  2173  steamers,  and  123 
American  sailing  vessels  and  51  steamers.  The  total  num- 
ber of  vessels,  of  all  classes,  passing  through  the  canals  of 
Canada  that  year,  was  20,406,  with  a  tonnage  of  2,138,654 
tons. 

On  the  whole,  it  may  be  safely  asserted  that  no  country 
in  the  world  is  possessed  of  more  important  and  extensive 
canals  than  is  Canada.  They  are  now  destined  to  be  the 
medium  of  communication  for  large  numbers  of  vessels 
which  the  direct  ocean  trade  of  the  great  West  will  employ. 

Nor  is  this  all.  This  vast  and  uninterrupted  water  com- 
munication from  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the 
extremity  of  Lake  Superior,  will  be  the  basis  of  the  whole 
system  of  Western  railroads.  A  Pacific  Railroad  over 
the  northern  route  to  Puget's  Sound,  with  a  termination 
at  the  City  of  Superior,  is  the  necessary  supplement  of  the 
navigation  we  have  described. 

The  construction  of  a  railroad  to  the  Pacific  Ocean  is 
attracting  a  large  share  of  the  attention  of  the  people  of 


RAILROADS.  229 

the  United  States,  and  that  a  road,  upon  some  such  route, 
will  be  constructed,  by  aid  derived  from  the  General 
Government,  appears  to  be  the  general  opinion.  It  is  con- 
ceded that  the  northern  route,  as  surveyed  by  Governor 
Stevens,  presents  the  greatest  advantages,  and  the  fewest 
obstacles,  and  we  feel  confident  it  will  be  adopted. 

When  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad  is  com- 
pleted, which  will  be  in  1859,  connecting  the  City  of  Supe- 
rior with  St.  Paul,  Milwaukee,  and  Chicago,  an  astonishing 
revolution  will  be  made  in  the  transhipment  of  freight  to 
the  Northwest.  As  it  is  a  settled  fact  that  transportation 
is  impelled  by  an  irresistible  impulse  into  the  cheapest  and 
most  direct  channels  of  communication,  the  following  state- 
ments and  tables  of  distances  will  prove  that  the  lake  route, 
via  the  City  of  Superior,  is  not  only  the  nearest,  but  by 
far  the  cheapest  means  of  shipping  freight  to  the  North- 
west, and  a  saving  in  time  of  from  ten  days  to  two  weeks. 
Let  us  take  New  York  as  a  starting-point  from  the  sea- 
board, and  St.  Paul,  at  the  head  of  navigation  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, as  the  terminus.  The  distances  between  these 
places  is  as  follows  : 

Miles. 

From  New  York  to  Chicago,  by  canal  via  Albany  and  Buf- 
falo, and  by  steamboat  via  Detroit 1551 

From  Chicago,  by  railroad  via  Duuleith,  and  via  steamboat 
to  St.  Paul 508 

Total 2119 

From  New  York  to  Buffalo,  via  canal 503 

From  Buffalo  to  City  of  Superior,  via  propellers 1241 

From  City  of  Superior,  via  railroad,  to  St.  Paul 140 

Total 18S9 

showing  a  difference  of  230  miles,  and  one  transhipment 
less,  in  favor  of  the  new  route. 
20 


230  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

The  usual  route  for  freight  from  Philadelphia  to  St. 
Paul,  is  by  railroad  to  Pittsburg,  thence  by  steamboats 
down  the  Ohio  and  up  the  Mississippi,  occupying  about 
one  month  ;  the  distance  is  2266  miles. 

t  Miles. 

The  new  route  to  St.  Paul,  via  City  of  Superior,  is  by  rail- 
road to  Cleveland,  occupying  about  2  days,  a  distance  of    489 

From  Cleveland  to  Superior,  via  propellers,  occupying  4 
days 1091 

From  City  of  Superior  to  St.  Paul,  via  railroad 140 

Total 1720 

showing  a  difference  in  favor  of  City  of  Superior  of  546 
miles,  and  a  saving  of  at  least  two  weeks  in  time. 

Another  important  fact,  which  must  not  be  overlooked, 
is,  that  the  vast  mineral  products  of  Lake  Superior  may 
be  transported  via  this  railroad  and  the  Mississippi  river, 
cheaper  than  by  any  other  means  of  communication.  These 
subjects  are  capable  of  much  additional  amplification,  and 
many  more  important  statements  might  be  added,  but  these 
facts  and  figures  will  serve  to  convince  every  one  of  the 
advantages  of  the  lake  route. 

The  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad 
Company,  who  are  now  surveying  their  road  from  Milwau- 
kee to  Lake  Superior,  will  doubtless  extend  it  (as  their 
charter  provides)  to  the  City  of  Superior.  The  Milwaukee 
and  Horicon  Railroad  will  terminate  at  this  point,  and  their 
engineers  are  at  present  surveying  the  route.  The  Mil- 
waukee and  Superior  Railroad,  a  new  company,  chartered 
in  March,  1856,  also  terminates  at  the  City  of  Superior. 
Either  of  these  routes,  when  completed,  will  reduce  the 
time  between  New  York  and  the  head  of  this  great  lake 
to  about  three  days'  travel! 

Probably  one  of  the  greatest  sources  of  future  prosperity 
of  the  city  of  Superior,  will  be  derived  from  the  thousands 


RAILROADS.  231 

of  visitors  who  will  fill  her  hotels  to  overflowing,  and  leave 
immense  sums  of  money  among  her  merchants.  We  assert 
that,  when  the  railroad  connecting  this  city  witli  the  Mis- 
sissippi is  in  travelling  order,  a  .great  majority  of  the 
visitors  who  daily  ascend  that  river  to  St.  Paul  (and  I 
have  known  of  from  700  to  1000  arrivals  there  in  one  day, 
in  the  height  of  the  travelling  season),  will  cross  over  to 
Superior  and  return  homewards  by  the  lakes,  in  preference 
to  returning  the  same  route.  This  is  no  idle  supposition  ; 
already  hundreds  have  arrived  in  Superior,  by  the  Point 
Douglas  and  Lake  Superior  Military  Road. 

The  wealthy  Southerner,  on  his  usual  summer  tour  to 
the  North,  will  prefer  embarking  on  the  "floating  palaces 
of  the  mighty  Father  of  Waters"  for  St.  Paul,  thence  by 
railroad  to  City  of  Superior,  and  re-embarking  there  on 
splendid  lake  steamboats,  will  coast  along  'the  shores  of 
the  Mediterranean  of  North  America,  through  the  Sault 
Ste.  Marie,  either  to  Detroit,  Cleveland,  and  Chicago,  or 
connect  at  Mackinaw  with  the  "  Collingwood  route"  for 
Canada,  or  Niagara,  as  his  fancy  may  dictate.  At  present, 
there  are  three  boats  on  the  Superior  line  from  Chicago, 
and  six  from  Cleveland ;  both  lines  connecting  with  the 
"Collingwood  route"  at  Mackinaw. 

To  the  traveller  from  the  East,  who  prefers  good  fare 
and  fine  scenery  to  shutting  himself  up  at  a  watering  place, 
the  northern  route  presents  unequalled  attractions.  From 
Cleveland  and  Detroit  splendid  lake  steamboats- will  convey 
him,  in  four  days,  to  the  City  of  Superior  ;'then,  in  a  few 
hours,  he  will  reach  St.  Paul  by  the  railroad  ;  after  view- 
ing that  city,  and  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  he  has  choice 
of  routes  in  returning  homeward.  For  myself,  I  prefer  the 
elegant  accommodations  and  fare  of  the  Mississippi  boats, 
and  its  magnificent  scenery,  to  travelling  over  the  railroads. 
This  route,  up  the  lakes  and  down  the  Mississippi,  is  the 


232  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

finest  in  this  country ;  and  when  it  is  considered  that,  in 
length,  it  is  equal  to  crossing  the  Atlantic,  we  may  well  be 
amazed  at  the  cheapness  of  travel,  and  variety  of  scenery 
it  presents.  Travellers^  on  tours  of  pleasure  from  the  East- 
ern cities,  on  their  way  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  will 
not  willingly  undergo  the  fatigues  and  annoyances  of  the 
railroad  route  to  the  Mississippi,  when  the  tour  of  the 
lakes  presents  such  attractions. 

Thus  the  City  of  Superior  occupies  the  most  prominent 
position  in  the  Northwest,  at  the  head  of  navigation,  and 
we  may  also  add,  it  forms  the  gate  of  communication  be- 
tween the  Eastern  and  Western  travel,  of  over  two  thou- 
sand miles  of  uninterrupted  lake  and  river  navigation  to 
the  Atlantic,  and  nearly  the  same  distance  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  The  productions  of  the  Northwest  will  be  shipped 
fro  in  her  piers  direct  to  New  York  and  European  ports ; 
emigrants  will  arrive  direct  from  Europe  for  the  West,  with 
passengers  and  freight  from  Eastern  cities  ;  the  productions 
of  Lake  Superior  will  be  collected  in  her  warehouses  for 
shipment  to  the  Western  and  Southern  States,  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  the  shores  of  the  Pacific  Ocean.  A  city  with 
such  a  situation,  surrounded  by  so  magnificent  a  country, 
cannot  but  have  a  great  and  glorious  destity. 

RISE   AND   HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    SUPERIOR. 

In  the  fall  of  1853,  Messrs.  D.  A.  J.  Baker,  D.  A.  Rob- 
ertson, George  E.  Nettleton,  R.  R.  Nelson,  Benjamin 
Thompson,  Edmund  Rice,  James  Stinson,  and  Wm.  H. 
Newton,  left  St.  Paul  to  lay  out  a  town  at  the  west  end  of 
Lake  Superior.  On  arrival,  each  one  erected  a  log  cabin 
and  made  a  claim.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  they  organized 
themselves  into  a  company,  under  the  name  of  "Proprie- 
tors of  Superior,"  with  the  following  additional  members, 
viz  :  Messrs.  W.  W.  Corcoran,  of  Washington  City,  D.  C.  ; 


EARLY    HISTORY.  233 

R.  J.  Walker,  of  New  York  ;  Geo.  W.  Cass,  of  Penna. ; 
and  Horace  S.  Walbridge,  of  Ohio.  Win.  H.  Newton, 
Esq.,  was  appointed  Engineer  and  Agent  for  the  "Pro- 
prietors of  Superior,"  and,  assisted  by  Thomas  Clark, 
Esq.,  the  necessary  Burveys  were  made,  and  on  the  Oth  of 
September,  1854,  the  plat  of  the  town  of  Superior  was 
duly  recorded. 

This  plat  contained  thirty-three  streets,  eighty  feet  wide, 
running  parallel  with  the  bay,  and  twenty-four  avenues,  one 
hundred  feet  wide,  running  from  the  bay.  The  former  are 
named  numerically,  and  the  latter  after  the  proprietors, 
early  settlers,  and  other  persons.  The  lots  are  all  the 
same  size,  and  regularly  numbered  —  the  odd  on  the  right, 
and  the  even  on  the  left  side.  Each  house  takes  the  num- 
ber of  the  lot  upon,  which  it  is  erected.  Twenty  lots  were 
donated  by  the  proprietors  for  churches,  thirty-two  for 
schools,  half  a  block  for  county  buildings,  two  blocks  for  a 
public  park,  and  two  blocks  for  a  cemetery.1  In  the  fall 
of  1855,  that  portion  of  the  town  beyond  the  Nemadji 
river,  fronting  on  the  Bay  of  Allouez,2  and  known  as  East 
Superior,  was  laid  out  and  recorded.  Six  blocks  were 
donated  for  public  squares,  lots  for  churches  and  school- 
houses,  and  over  thirty  acres,  with  two  water  fronts,  for 
railroad  depots.  Also  an  avenue,  three  hundred  feet  wide, 
running  from  thence  in  a  southern  direction  to  the  town 
line,  through  which  railroads  are  to  approach  the  harbor. 
A  portion  of  these  lands  has  been  appropriated  by  the  St. 
Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad  Company.  But  little 
building  was  done  until  the  spring  of  1855  ;  previous  to 
that  date,  a  large-sized  hotel  —  the  Superior  House  —  and 
Quebec  pier  were  commenced,  but  were  not  completed 
until  the  following  summer. 

1  Now  occupied  by  the  Nemadji  Cemetery. 

2  Formed  by  the  waters  of  the  Nemadji  river  and  Bay  of  Superior. 

20* 


234  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

We  well  remember  our  astonishment  on  first  landing 
from  the  steamboat  Lady  Elgin,  June  30th,  1856,  at  the 
foot  of  this  pier ;  walking  up  Second  street,  we  were 
greeted  by  the  busy  sounds  of  workmen  on  all  sides — some 
felling  trees  and  grubbing  stumps,  others  at  work  on  the 
bridges  over  the  ravines  at  Nettleton  and  St.  John's  Ave- 
nues, besides  many  constructing  houses.  Upon  the  whole, 
it  presented  the  busiest  scene  we  had  witnessed  since 
leaving  Chicago.  The  street  in  front  of  the  Superior 
House  was  covered  by  the  timbers  for  the  new  addition  to 
its  Second  street  front ;  we  had  the  pleasure  of  assisting  in 
the  raising  of  the  frame  a  few  days  after.  Above  it,  stores 
were  built  as  far  as  Carlton  Avenue  ;  among  them  were 
those  of  Messrs.  Paul,  Orrin  Rice,  and  Dr.  Neill ;  beyond 
these  the  few  straggling  houses  of  Superior  City  were  to  be 
seen,  and  its  large  and  commodious  pier.  The  Barstow 
block,  opposite  the  Superior  House,  was  occupied  by  J. 
M.  Newton's  hardware,  and  Geo.  F.  Holcomb's  grocery 
store ;  the  Recorder  of  Deeds,  and  Wm.  H.  Newton, 
Agent  and  Attorney  for  the  "  Proprietors,"  occupied  the 
second  floor.  Hollingshead  Avenue  was  opened  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  bay  ;  the  only  houses  erected  upon  it 
were  Mr.  Double's,  and  several  small  ones,  near  Sixth 
street.  Below  this  avenue,  on  Second  street,  was  the 
Stockton  House,  Messrs.  Bright  &  Hayes'  law  office,  Mr. 
Moore's,  the  Young  America  House,  the  Episcopal 
church,  Wm.  H.  Newton's  residence,  and  many  other 
houses.  There  were  also  several  on  the  banks  of  the  Ne- 
madji  river ;  in  the  little  log  school-house,  at  the  corner  of 
Fourth  street  and  Becker  Avenue,  quite  a  large  number  of 
children  were  daily  instructed  by  a  young  lady  ;  this  house 
was  occupied  alternately,  on  the  Sabbath,  by  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  J.  M.  Barnett,  of  the  0.  S.,  Wm,  A.  McCorkle, 
of  the  N.  S.   Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  Rev.  James 


EARLY    niSTORY.  235 

Peet,  of  the  Methodist  Church.     Sixth  street  was  partially 
opened,  and  the  contractors  were  grading  it. 

Four  small  saw-mills  were  in  operation,  and  the  total 
cumber  of  buildings,  of  all  descriptions,  was  about  one 
hundred  and  ninety.  Planks  were  laid  along  Second 
street  to  Nemadji  river,  for  the  purpose  of  a  sidewalk,  and 
our  usual  stroll,  on  those  beautiful  evenings  in  summer  — 
at  which  time  the  twilight,  in  this  latitude,  continues  until 
9  o'clock  —  was  along  this  sidewalk  to  the  river  bank, 
where  the  old  forest  trees 

"Bend  with  a  calm  and  qniet  shadow  down 
Upon  the  beauty  of  that  silent  water." 

In  our  frequent  walks  we  noted  the  rapid  improvement  of 
the  place  ;  houses  seemed  to  grow  up  almost  daily.  Du- 
ring our  stay  they  averaged  four  per  week.  We  were 
offered  building  lots  on  Second  street,  at  from  $300  to 
$500  apiece,  on  Sixth  street  from  $150  to  $250,  on  Eighth 
street  at  $100,  and  corner  lots  on  the  Nemadji  and  Second 
street  at  $350.  When  the  news  arrived,  several  months 
later,  that  the  Legislature  of  Wisconsin  had  passed  the 
Railroad  bill,  giving  the  lands  near  Superior,  donated  by 
Government,  to  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad, 
and  that  this  Company  was  then  engaged  in  purchasing 
and  forwarding  supplies  to  Superior,  to  commence  opera- 
tions before  winter  set  in,  property  went  up  at  an  unpre- 
cedented rate  ;  quarter  shares,  which  had  been  offered  in 
July  at  $9000,  were  then  scarce  at  $15,000,  and  Second 
street  lots  could  not  be  had  at  any  price.  It  may  be  pro- 
per to  state  here,  that  the  City  of  Superior  consists  of  5000 
acres,  divided  into  thirteen  original  shares  ;  after  the  town 
was  laid  out  in  1854,  several  of  these  shares  were  sold  at 
$1500  each,  and  their  rise  to  the  present  time  has  been  un- 
exampled. 


236  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

Opposite  the  town,  on  Minnesota  Point,  were  several 
houses,  the  pier  of  Mr.  Stuntz,  and  a  few  Tndian  lodges  ; 
these  Indians  belonged  to  the  Chippewa  tribe,  and  were 
chiefly  engaged  in  fishing.  At  the  head  of  the  Bay  of 
Superior,  the  town  of  Du  Luth  was  partially  laid  out,  and 
on  the  North  Shore  (as  it  is  called)  scattered  clearings 
showed  that  considerable  portions  of  it  had  been  taken  up 
by  pre-erapters.  The  little  steamboat  James  Carson  made 
weekly  trips  to  the  Indian  village  of  Fond  du  Lac,  on  St. 
Louis  river,  about  twenty  miles  from  Superior,  and  the 
yacht  Comet  made  daily  trips  to  Du  Luth. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  the  inhabitants  were  quite  sur- 
prised by  the  appearance  of  the  U.  S.  Steamer  Michigan, 
it  being  the  first  national  vessel  that  ever  buffeted  the  waves 
of  Lake  Superior.  A  meeting  of  the  Masonic  Association 
was  held  on  the  16th  of  this  month,  preparatory  to  the 
erection  of  a  hall.  A  few  days  after,  the  Douglas  County 
Jail  was  commenced.  The  largest  cargo  which  had  ever 
reached  Superior  was  brought  from  Cleveland  by  the 
favorite  propeller  Manhattan,  the  following  September,  con- 
sisting of  twenty-two  hundred  barrels  of  freight,  the  large 
and  complete  machinery  for  Mr.  Johnson's  steam  saw-mill, 
beside  many  passengers. 

In  November,  1856,  the  inhabitants  of  Superior  gave 
their  first  vote,  for  President  and  Yice  President.  The 
result  showed  that  the  Democratic  electoral  ticket  received 
a  majority  of  146,  the  total  number  of  votes  polled  being 
194,  a  number  almost  unexampled  in  the  history  of  West- 
ern toivns  of  but  two  years1  growth. 

In  common  with  other  visitors,  we  were  delighted  with 
the  climate  of  Lake  Superior.  The  atmosphere  being 
very  dry  and  bracing,  and  so  clear  that  the  shades  and 
sliadows  of  the  "North"  or  Minnesota  shore  of  the  lake 


EARLY    HISTORY.  237 

were  plainly  visible  at  a  distance  of  thirty  miles,  giving 
a  grand  effect  to  the  scenery. ' 

Before  concluding  these  early  recollections  of  Superior, 
we  would  remark  that,  next  to  the  town  itself,  the  "  Chro- 
nicle," a  handsome,  ably-edited  weekly  journal,  conducted 
by  Messrs.  Ashton  &  Wise,  most  attracted  our  attention. 
This  newspaper  was  first  issued  in  June,  1855,  and  is  now 
the  oldest  journal  on  Lake  Superior.  It  certainly  required 
energy  and  perseverance  of  no  common  order  to  commence 
its  publication  so  far  away  from  civilization,  among  a  popu- 
lation then  of  about  three  hundred.  But  true  native  en- 
ergy, as  usual,  overcame  every  obstacle,  and  now  its  pro- 
prietors are  reaping  the  reward  of  their  sagacity  and 
enterprise.  It  is  now  in  the  third  year  of  its  existence, 
and  has  the  largest  circulation  and  patronage  of  any  paper 
on  Lake  Superior,  or  north  and  west  of  St.  Paul.     Its 

1  Result  of  Meteorological  Observations,  taken  from  the  report  of 
L.  Washington,  Esq.,  at  Superior,  Douglas  county,  Wisconsin,  Lati- 
tude 46  cleg.  38  ruin.  31  sec,  Longitude  92  deg.  3  min.  28  sec. 
Height  of  station  above  the  sea,  658  feet.  The  mean  temperature 
is  as  follows : 

Degrees. 

For  the  week  ending  June  1,  1S56 65 

"  "  "    29,    "    62 

"  "  July  12,     "    60 

"  "  Aug.   2,     «    74 

"  '■  "    16,     "    62 

"  "  "    30,     "    62 

"  "  Sept.  6,     "    68 

■  "  "    20,     "    ..„ 53 

"  "  Oct.  11,     "    52 

■  "  "    IS,     "    46 

"  "  Nov.    1,     "    3S 

"  "  "    15,     "    35 

"  "  "    29,     "    26 

"  "  Dec.  13,     "    20 

"  "  "    2S,     "    16 

"  "  Jan.    3,1857 20 

"  "  "    11,     "    12 


238  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

sales,  for  the  week  ending  April  7,  1857,  amounted  to  1500 
copies,  and  it  has  done  more  to  attract  settlers  to  the  Lake 
Superior  country  than  any  journal  on  its  shores. 

Nothing  will  better  illustrate  the  steady  aud  healthy  ad- 
vancement of  the  City  of  Superior,  than  the  following 
report  of  its  progress  up  to  January  1,  1857,  compiled 
partly  from  the  semi-annual  review  of  the  "  Chronicle." 

The  population  of  Superior  is  composed  of  persons 
from  all  sections  of  our  own  country,  and  from  almost 
every  clime  of  Europe.  The  States  of  Ohio  and  Pennsyl- 
vania are  perhaps  more  strongly  represented  than  the 
others,  while  the  foreign  population  comprises  persons  from 
the  northern  parts  of  Europe.  In  June,  1855,  the  inha- 
bitants numbered  nearly  500  ;  in  January,  1856,  600  ;  and 
in  January,  1857,  over  1500.  The  increase  of  houses  pre- 
sents the  growth  of  the  town  in  a  remarkable  manner.  In 
June,  1855,  the  entire  number  was  35  ;  in  June,  1856, 
196;   and  in  January,  1857,  340. 

Soon  after  the  town  plat  was  recorded,  the  proprietors 
placed  in  the  hands  of  Win.  H.  Newton,  their  agent,  about 
twenty-five  hundred  lots,  to  be  sold  to  actual  settlers  — 
binding  the  latter  to  improve  and  build  upon  them.  The 
terms  were  made  reasonable ;  requiring  one-third  of  the 
purchase-money  in  hand,  and  the  residue  in  one  and  two 
years.     Upon  these  terms  the  sales  were  as  follows  : 

Year.                                                                .  Lots.  Price. 

1S54 362  $25,619-00 

1S55 930  86,912-00 

1856 556  29,255-00 

Total 1S43  $141,786-00 

Amounts  received  on  these  sales,  are,  in 

1854 S6.S91-00 

1855 73,559-00 

1850 32,75000 $113,200-00 

Balance  due,  exclusive  of  interest $2S,5S6-00 


PROGRESS.  239 

The  proceeds  of  the  sales  have  been  applied  as  follows : 

In  the  purchase  of  lands $32,421-00 

Surveying,  clerk's  office,  and  other  expenses 29,711-00 

Clearing  streets * 6,S02"00  , 

Building  hotel 10,634-00 

Building  Quebec  pier 10,585-00 

Interest  on  loans,  discounts,  and  other  losses 6,614-00 

Loans  to  sundry  individuals  and  R.  R.  Co 16,433-00 

The  arrivals  at  the  port  of  Superior,  for  the  past  three 
years,  bear  the  following  comparisons  : 

Year.                                                      Steamboats.  Sailing  vessels.  Total. 

1854 2         5  7 

1855 23        10  33 

1856 40        16  56 

We  would  remark  here,  that  the  trade  of  Superior  alone 
brings  these  vessels  to  its  piers.  It  is  at  the  head  of  navi- 
gation, and  there  are  no  towns  beyond,  or  around,  of  suffi- 
cient importance  to  employ  even  one  vessel.  All  the  boats 
coming  to  this  place  generally  stop  at  the  other  towns 
along  the  south  shore ;  thus  the  commerce  of  Superior 
increases  the  number  of  arrivals  at  Marquette  and  Onton- 
agon, while  their  commerce  contributes  nothing  towards 
those  at  this  port. 

During  the  past  year,  the  amount  of  freight  received  in 
Superior  was  about  35,000  barrels;  averaging  them  at 
twelve  dollars  per  barrel,  a  very  moderate  estimate,  it 
makes  a  total  of  $420,000,  and,  compared  with  the  im- 
ports of  1855,  shows  an  increase  of  about  $226,000.  "We 
have  been  furnished  by  the  merchants  and  business  men 
with  the  amount  of  purchases  made  by  them  during  the 
past  year,  and  we  learn  that  the  following  places  have 
participated  in  its  trade,  and  to  the  extent  of  the  sums 
placed  opposite  to  their  names. 


240  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

New  York $68,000-00 

Chicago 55,100-00 

Cleveland 41,200-00 

Philadelphia 26,900-00 

Detroit " 26,600-00 

St.  Paul 16,000-00 

Milwaukee 9,00000 

Boston 6,060-00 

Ashtabula 7,000-00 

Buffalo 4,50000 

Conneaut,  0 2,800-00 

Kentucky 1,500-00 

Cincinnati 1,000-00 

Indiana 800-00 

New  York  State 50000 

It  was  estimated  that  the  amount  of  lumber  brought  here 
last  summer  was  1,800,000  feet.  The  average  cost  of  this 
lumber  was  about  $20  per  thousand,  amounting  in  all  to 
$36,000. 

The  lands  granted  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad  from 
Hudson  to  Superior,  and  to  Bayfield,  have  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad  Com- 
pany, who  are  obliged  to  open  a  good  wagon  road  from 
this  city  to  the  St.  Croix  river ;  they  expect  to  have  the 
railroad  in  complete  order  within  two  years  ;  large  numbers 
of  workmen  have  been  employed  on  the  wagon  road  during 
the  past  winter,  and  the  contractors  have  commenced  the 
dock  and  warehouses  at  the  mouth  of  the  Nemadji,  in  East 
Superior. 

The  military  road  from  Superior  to  Point  Douglas,  on 
the  Mississippi  river,  is  in  an  excellent  condition,  and 
teams  are  daily  passing  over  it.  About  forty  miles  south, 
the  road  from  Mille  Lac  joins  the  military  road,  which 
connects  there  with  roads  from  St.  Cloud,  Sauk  Rapids, 
and  Little  Falls. 

The  country  bordering  on  Lake  Superior  is  generally 


AGRICULTURE.  241 

considered  too  far  north  to  have  a  favorable  climate  for 
agriculture.  This  is  a  great  mistake ;  its  summers  are 
shorter,  and  its  winters  longer  than  in  Ohio  and  Indiana, 
yet  it  is  also  a  fact,  that  during  the  same  length  of  time 
in  the  summer  it  is  favored  with  more  sunlight,  owing  to 
the  greater  length  of  the  days.  Vegetation  consequently 
grows  more  rapidly,  and  requires  less  time  to  mature.  In 
1856,  the  actual  amount  of  land  under  cultivation  in  the 
vicinity  of  Nemadji  river  was  about  sixty  acres.  The  fol- 
lowing table  will  show  the  crops  raised  on  the  above  quan- 
tity of  land,  and  the  prices  at  which  they  were  sold. 

Produce.                          Bushels.             Price  per  bushel.  Total  value. 

Potatoes 2130  $1-25  $2,662  50 

Turnips 240                            -50  121-00 

Beets 20                        1-50  30-00 

Parsnips 75                         150  112-50 

Onions 12                         3-00  36-00 

Wheat 60  2-00  120-00 

Oats 30                        1-25  3750 

Cabbages 945  heads.  5-00  per  hundred.  47*50 

Hay 99  tons.  25-00  per  ton.  2,475-00 

Total $5,641-00 

The  average  value  per  acre  of  the  products  raised  is 
about  one  hundred  dollars.  It  should  be  remembered,  the 
land  was  cleared  during  last  winter  and  spring,  and  the 
crops  were  planted  among  the  stumps,  and  wholly  by  means 
of  the  hoe.  The  soil  was  not  turned  up  ;  but  holes  being 
made  in  the  ground,  the  seed  was  dropped  in  and  covered 
over,  and  thus  left  to  mature.  By  proper  care  the  crop 
would  have  been  one-third  more  than  it  really  was. 

Dui'ing  the  past  winter,  in  comparing  the  meteorological 

reports  of  Superior  with  observations  taken  at  St.  Paul, 

we.  invariably  found  a  difference  in  favor  of  the  former  of 

from  five  to  ten  degrees,  notwithstanding  it  is  nearly  one 

21 


242  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

hundred  miles  north  of  St.  Paul.  The  Lake  Superior  win- 
ters are  perhaps  the  most  pleasant  part  of  the  year.  Cold 
weather  is  experienced  in  spells  of  from  two  to  four  days  at 
a  time,  and  at  but  two  or  three  periods  during  the  season. 
The  remainder  of  the  winter  may  be  said  to  be  delightful, 
being  almost  continual  sunshine.  The  inhabitants  of  Supe- 
rior are  not  annoyed  with  frequent  rains,  high  winds,  or 
heavy  snow  storms.  No  rain  falls  from  November  to 
April ;  and  the  average  depth  of  snow,  for  the  past  two 
winters,  has  been  about  twelve  inches.  The  atmosphere  is 
dry  and  highly  pregnant  with  electricity,  imparting  energy 
and  elasticity  to  the  frame. 

BUILDINGS  AND   IMPROVEMENTS  IN  SUPERIOR,  FOR  1857. 

In  looking  over  the  number  of  buildings  to  be  com- 
menced this  summer,  and  most  of  them  completed  before 
the  close  of  navigation,  we  are  surprised  at  the  amount  of 
capital  about  to  be  expended.  There  has  been  no  year, 
since  the  settlement  of  Superior,  that  has  presented,  since 
its  opening,  as  fair  a  prospect.  Hundreds  of  laborers 
must  be  employed  upon  their  construction,  and  they  will 
give  no  little  stimulus  to  trade,  in  articles  of  home  con- 
sumption. Among  the  contemplated  improvements,  we 
notice  the  dock  and  warehouse  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake 
Superior  Railroad  Company,  in  East  Superior ;  the  dock 
is  to  be  three  hundred  feet  long  by  fifty  wide,  and  the  ware- 
house one  hundred  and  ten  feet  front  by  forty  feet  deep. 
The  Proprietors  of  Superior  are  constructing  a  very  ex- 
tensive dock  on  the  river  bank,  opposite  to  the  depot 
grounds  of  the  railroad  company.  It  commences  on  the 
bay  front,  about  seven  hundred  feet  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  runs  from  thence  a  distance  of  two  thousand  feet. 
It  is  to  be  fifty  feet  wide,  and  connected  with  the  maiu  land 
by  a  causeway  at  the  foot  of  Hobinson  Avenue.     A  Ma- 


BUILDINGS    AND    IMPROVEMENTS.  243 

sonic  hall  has  been  partly  erected  on  the  corner  of  Third 
street  and  Stinson  Avenue,  to  cost  $7000.  The  Govern- 
ment lighthouse  is  commenced,  for  which  an  appropriation 
was  made  several  years  ago,  of  §15,000.  The  O.  S.  Pres- 
byterian church,  on  Sixth  street,  is  now  under  contract,  to 
cost  about  $3500.  It  is  proposed  to  erect  a  very  large 
hotel  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Masonic  Hall  this  summer,  at  a 
cost  of  $80,000.  A  company  from  New  York  have  com- 
menced a  substantial  pier  at  Detroit  Avenue,  and  several 
entire  blocks  of  stores  are  to  be  erected  by  Win.  H.  New- 
ton, and  others.  In  addition  to  these  improvements,  at 
least  three  hundred  buildings  of  different  kinds  are  to  be 
constructed  on  lots  sold  by  the  proprietors  to  settlers,  in 
fulfilment  of  their  contracts. 

In  addition  to  these  statistics  and  facts,  we  would  briefly 
mention  some  which  relate  to  the  intellectual  and  moral 
growth  of  Superior.  The  first  public  school  was  opened 
in  a  building  erected  for  the  purpose  on  Becker  Avenue, 
near  Fourth  street,  and  shortly  after  another  school-house 
was  built  near  the  Nemadji  river ;  there  is  also  a  select 
school,  under  the  control  of  a  lady,  which  will  doubtless 
grow  into  a  female  seminary.  The  first  school  opened  with 
seventeen  scholars ;  now  there  are  about  eighty  in  the 
three.  The  first  Sabbath  School  was  commenced  in  a  room 
in  Barstow  block,  with  one  teacher  and  three  little  girls. 
This  school  is  now  the  Union  Sabbath  School  of  Superior, 
and  embraces  six  teachers  and  thirty  pupils.  During  the 
past  summer,  a  second  Sabbath  School  was  formed  in  con- 
nection with  the  Episcopal  church,  having  three  teachers 
and  twelve  pupils. 

The  first  church  erected  was  in  the  summer  of  1856,  by 
the  Episcopalians,  on  Second  street,  aud  is  thirty  feet  by 
twenty-five.  The  New  School  Presbyterians  have  erected 
a  church  forty  feet  by  twenty-five,  and  the  Old  School 


244  CITY    OF    SUPERIOR. 

Presbyterians  have  commenced  their  building ;  it  is  to  bo 
seventy-five  by  thirty-five  feet.  The  Roman  Catholics  have 
purchased  a  large  and  comfoi'table  log  building  on  Fourth 
street.  The  first  minister  came  to  the  place  in  August, 
1855  ;  the  second  in  November,  1855  ;  the  third  in  Feb- 
ruary, 185G  ;  and  the  fourth  in  July,  1856.  The  denomi- 
nations they  represent  are  :  Presbyterian  (Old  and  New 
School),  Methodist  Episcopal,1  and  Episcopal.  Each  one 
has  an  organized  church,  although  the  membership  is  not 
large.  These  facts  need  no  comment ;  they  show  conclu- 
sively that  Superior  is  not  destitute  of  two  of  the  most 
essential  elements  in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  any  com- 
munity—  schools  and  churches. 

In  January,  1856,  a  number  of  persons  connected  with 
the  Masonic  fraternity  met,  and  took  preliminary  steps  to- 
ward the  formation  of  a  lodge  in  this  town.  In  March  the 
lodge  was  duly  opened,  under  a  dispensation  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Wisconsin,  with  ten  members.  At  the 
present  time  it  numbers  about  forty  members,  and  is  in  a 
highly  flourishing  condition.  The  fraternity  organized  an 
association  for  the  erection  of  a  large  and  elegant  hall, 
which  is  now  partly  finished. 

MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIAL    INTERESTS    NECESSARY 
TO   TUE   PRESENT   AND   FUTURE   OF    SUPERIOR. 

The  following  comprises  afeio  of  the  manufacturing  and 
other  interests  needed  to  supply  the  wants  of  both  present 
and  future  :  —  Iron  foundries  and  machine  shops  ;  brick 
manufacturing,  pressed  or  burnt ;  stone  dressing  by  ma- 

1  The  Rev.  David  Brook,  Presiding  Elder  of  St.  Paul  District,  Min- 
nesota Conference,  delivered  the  first  English  Protestant  sermon  ever 
preached  in  Superior,  in  the  spring  of  1855,  in  what  was  then  the 
carpenter  shop  of  the  Superior  House,  but  now  the  bar-room. 


REMARKS.  245 

chinery  ; '  agricultural  tools  of  all  kinds  ;  freight  and  pas- 
senger cars  ;  hat  and  cap,  and  boot  and  shoe  manufac- 
turing ;  sash  and  blind  factories  ;  planing  mills ;  wagons, 
carts,  wheelbarrows,  &c,  for  farmers  and  railroads  ;  steam- 
boats, sail  and  row  boats,  &c.  Superior  and  Douglas 
county  also  need,  and  will  sustain,  on  an  increased  scale, 
nurseries,  vegetable  and  flower  gardens,  seed  stores,  &c. 

The  settlement  of  Superior  was  unlike  that  of  many 
other  towns,  not  only  in  the  Western,  but  in  the  Eastern 
States.  Emigrants  from  the  Atlantic  cities,  and  from  most 
points  of  the  Western  interior,  came  here  principally  on 
steamboats,  and  brought  with  them  all  the  conveniences 
and  comforts  of  civilized  life  ;  indeed,  many  of  the  luxuries 
were,  in  about  one  week's  time,  without  toil,  danger,  or 
exposure,  transported  to  their  new  homes,  and  in  a  few 
mouths  they  were  surrounded  with  the  appendages  of  civi- 
lization, and  the  blessings  of  law  and  society. 

In  the  short  space  of  three  years,  by  the  agency  of  steam, 
this  wilderness  at  the  extremity  of  Lake  Superior  was 
transformed  into  the  settlements  of  a  commercial  and  civi- 
lized people.  Here  are  to  be  found  stores  of  every  de- 
scription, and  some  of  them  will  compare  favorably  with 
many  in  New  York. 

The  settler  has  not  to  undergo,  in  this  place,  the  priva- 
tions that  were  endured  by  the  pioneers  of  New  England, 
or  any  of  the  Western  States.  The  ground  is  easily 
cleared  of  timber,  which  is  always  greatly  in  demand  ;  the 
cmantity  of  wood  disposed  of  yearly  to  the  different  steam- 

1  An  inexhaustible  quarry  of  fine  blue  granite  was  lately  disco- 
vered at  the  head  of  the  Bay  of  Superior,  and  is  now  being  worked, 
to  procure  suitable  stone  for  laying  the  foundations  of  the  Govern- 
ment lighthouse.  The  blasts  throw  it  off  in  large  square  blocks, 
about  eight  feet  long  and  two  wide ;  the  quality  appears  to  be  supe- 
rior to  the  best  New  Hampshire  granite. 
21* 


246  CITY    OP    SUPERIOR. 

boats  is  very  great,  beside  that  used  by  the  St.  Croix  and 
Lake  Superior  Railroad.  The  productions  of  the  soil 
meet  with  a  ready  market  in  Superior  —  mechanics,  and 
others,  who  are  enjoying  high  wages,  will  live  well,  on  the 
best  that  can  be  obtained.  The  healthfulness  of  the  climate 
is  unrivalled  ;  no  ague,  or  chills  and  fevers,  which  are  the 
terror  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Kansas.  In  winter, 
no  keen,  cutting  blasts  sweep  across  the  lake,  as  are  expe- 
rienced in  the  prairie  States,  nor  does  the  snow  fall  to  as 
great  a  depth.  We  make  these  statements  to  prove  tc 
those  desirous  of  settling  here,  that  the  hardships,  etc. ,  so 
often  mentioned  by  the  newspapers  in  the  Atlantic  cities, 
to  deter  settlers  from  coming  westward,  are  unknown  in 
Superior. 

The  "  Chronicle,"  in  its  remarks  on  the  growth  of  this 
place,  thus  forcibly  contrasts  its  present  with  its  past 
history  : 

"  It  is  a  source  of  sincere  gratification  to  those  of  our 
citizens  who  came  here  in  the  infant  days  of  Superior,  to 
contemplate  the  rapid  progress  it  has  made  in  the  past  two 
years,  and  the  encouraging  circumstances  that  now  sur- 
round us.  Three  years  ago  last  month,  three  of  the  pre- 
sent proprietors  of  the  town,  after  encountering  the  trials 
and  fatigues  incident  to  a  voyage  through  the  almost  path- 
less forest  lying  between  here  and  St.  Paul,  arrived  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Nemadji,  and  looked  for  the  first  time  upon 
the  broad  expanse  of  water  stretching  far  out  before  their 
delighted  visions,  and  at  the  beautiful  and  capacious  bay 
lying  tranquilly  at  their  feet.  To  the  left  was  the  present 
site  of  Superior,  an  unbroken  forest.  No  work  of  art  de- 
noted the  spot  which  nature  had  so  admirably  formed  for  a 
mighty  city.  To  them,  and  to  their  associates,  were  en- 
trusted this  mission,  and  how  faithfully  they  have  performed 
it  the  present  demonstrates. 


NEMADJI    RIVER.  247 

"  Superior,  among  the  towns  on  Lake  Superior  that 
have  an  actual  existence,  is  the  youngest,  and  yet  one  of 
the  largest.  Its  growth,  while  it  surpasses  all  others,  has 
been  healthy.  No  settlement  on  the  lake  has  equalled  it  in 
developing  the  country  adjacent,  and  none  have  been  as 
successful  in  opening  communication  with  the  more  thickly 
settled  regions.  These  things  have  been  accomplished  in 
two  years.  "What  a  mighty  work  for  so  short  a  period  ! 
In  two  years  a  dense  forest  has  been  transformed  into  a 
healthy,  prosperous  town,  numbering  at  least  two  hundred 
and  fifty  houses,  and  a  population  exceeding  one  thou- 
sand. The  brightest  fancy  of  those  pioneer  men  has  been 
more  than  realized." 

NEMADJI  RIVER. 

This  beautiful  stream  divides  the  City  of  Superior  into 
two  nearly  equal  parts,  East  and  West  Superior.  It  is 
from  twenty  to  thirty  yards  wide,  and  from  three  to  ten 
feet  deep,  and  unobstructed  by  rapids,  excepting  a  few  in- 
considerable ones,  which  are  easily  ascended  by  canoes. 
On  one  of  its  tributaries  copper  ores  have  been  discovered, 
in  large  quantities,  and  several  companies  are  now  engaged 
in  mining,  with  fair  prospects  of  success.  Near  the  head 
waters  of  this  river  are  extensive  forests  of  the  finest  vari- 
eties of  timber,  and  many  lumbermen  are  employed  in 
floating  logs  to  Superior.  The  first  saw-mill  in  operation 
was  erected  on  its  banks  between  Second  and  Third  streets, 
and  the  first  steamboat  which  ever  ploughed  its  waters  was 
the  propeller  Manhattan,  Captain  Spaulding,  who  ascended 
the  river  for  several  miles  in  1855. 

The  country  between  the  Nemadji  and  the  St.  Louis 
rivers  is  alluvial  and  heavily  timbered.  The  land  is  mostly 
taken  up  by  settlers,  who  have  made  considerable  improve- 
ments, and  some  of  the  best  farms  near  Superior  are  along 


248  AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES. 

its  banks.  There  are  still  numerous  excellent  locations 
open  to  pre-emptors  along  the  railroad.  For  the  benefit 
of  those  who  imagine  that  the  soil  of  the  Lake  Superior 
country  is  unfit  for  cultivation,  we  subjoin  several  very 
interesting  letters  published  in  the  "Chronicle,"  from  per- 
sons who  visited  many  of  the  settlers,  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  information  in  regard  to  the  quality  of  its  soil, 
and  its  adaptation  to  raising  grass  and  vegetables.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  ground  was  broken  up 
with  the  hoe,  and  only  in  one  or  two  instances  a  plough 
was  used,  and  the  vegetables  were  merely  raised  by  way  of 
experiment. 

William  Mann,  Esq.,  in  a  letter  dated  October  14, 1856, 
says  :  —  "  Feeling  a  strong  interest  in  the  progress  of  agri- 
culture, I  have  made  it  my  business  to  examine  the  crops 
on  the  Nemadji  river,  where,  until  this  season,  nothing  was 
grown.  I  find  about  thirty  acres  planted  in  potatoes, 
which  average  one  hundred  and  five  bushels  to  the  acre. 
The  Messrs.  Wright  have  about  three  acres  of  winter  wheat, 
of  a  quality  better  than  three-fourths  of  the  wheat  grown 
in  the  United  States.  They  have  raised,  also,  a  good  crop 
of  oats.  On  the  river  there  are  crops  of  turnips,  and  ruta 
bagas,  that  cannot  be  beat  in  any  part  of  the  Union  ;  and 
also  of  most  kinds  of  garden  vegetables.  I  measured 
onions,  grown  from  seed,  that  were  thirteen  inches  in  cir- 
cumference, and  a  crook-necked  squash  that  measured 
twenty -seven  inches  long  by  eleven  in  circumference; 
oats,  heavily-corned  and  fully  ripe,  sixty  inches  in  height, 
and  tomatoes  weighing  one  pound  each. 

"We  must  bear  in  mind  that,  as  yet,  the  crops  have 
been  put  in  with  the  hoe,  and  I  know  of  but  two  small 
spots  where  the  plough-share  has  touched  the  soil.  We 
may  call  this  the  first  year's  planting,  and  it  has  been  de- 
monstrated that  we  can  raise  large  crojJS  of  hay,  wheat, 


AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES.  249 

oats,  peas,  beans,  salad,  radishes,  cucumbers,  turnips,  beets, 
carrots,  and  parsnips." 

Another  correspondent,  T.  L.  F.,  in  a  letter  dated  Oct. 
21,  1856,  says  : —  "I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  placing  be- 
fore you  afexo  reliable  facts  concerning  the  progress  which 
is  being  made  upon  claims  on  the  banks  of  the  Nemadji 
river  alone,  passing  over,  for  the  present,  the  "  many  open- 
ings" between  this  and  the  St.  Louis  river.  During  the 
past  week  I  have  visited  all  the  claims  (or,  I  might  say, 
farms)  upon  the  banks  of  the  Nemadji,  upon  which  clear- 
ings have  been  made  and  crops  raised  this  year,  and  from 
a  close  personal  examination  of  the  same,  and  from  infor- 
mation derived  from  the  occupants,  I  am  enabled  to  give 
you  an  accurate  account  of  the  different  crops  raised,  the 
amount  of  each,  and  the  number  of  acres  cleared. 

"  I  will  first  ask  your  attention  to  the  claim  of  Mr.  Pat- 
rick Fay.  Here  I  found  some  twelve  acres  of  land  well 
cleared,  and  upon  it  three  good  hewn  log  houses,  which  are 
occupied  by  his  mother,  sisters,  and  three  brothers.  The 
amount  of  potatoes  raised  upon  this  place  was  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty  bushels  ;  turnips,  about  fifty  bushels  ;  and  a 
small  patch  of  beets  and  onions.  The  onions  were  raised 
from  the  seed,  and  the  day  I  was  there  Mr.  Fay  pulled  for 
me  two  that  measured  each  thirteen  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 

"  From  this  place  I  went  about  two  miles  down  the  river 
to  the  claim  of  Mr.  T.  L.  Fitch,  who  has  about  eight  acres 
under  cultivation  ;  he  commenced  clearing  his  land  the  first 
day  of  June,  and,  by  the  time  it  was  ready  to  plant,  the 
season  was  almost  too  far  advanced ;  however,  he  has 
raised  about  sixty  bushels  of  potatoes,  and  fifteen  of  tur- 
nips, besides  eight  tons  of  hay  on  a  meadow  near  the  river. 

"  The  next  claim,  half  a  mile  below,  is  the  one  upon 
which  the  'old  warehouse'  of  the  American  Fur  Company 


250  AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES. 

stands.  This  house  was  used  long  ago  by  the  Company 
for  storing  their  supplies,  but  is  now  deserted,  and  in  a  very 
dilapidated  condition.  This  claim  is  owned  by  Mr.  James 
Wright,  who  has  cut  forty  tons  of  hay  from  a  meadow  near 
the  river. 

"  Two  claims  a  short  distance  back  from  the  Nemadji 
are  worthy  of  notice.  One  of  them,  belonging  to  Mr.  E. 
C.  Clark,  is  a  very  promising  farm,  the  land  being  well 
adapted  to  agricultural  purposes ;  over  five  acres  are 
cleared,  on  which  he  has  raised  sixty  bushels  of  potatoes, 
besides  a  promising  crop  of  oats  and  turnips,  which  were 
entirely  destroyed  by  cattle,  the  fences  having  been  broken 
down  in  several  places. 

"The  next  claim  I  visited  was  that  of  Mr.  Daniel 
Wright.  Here  I  found  a  farm  in  real  earnest — over  sixty 
acres  of  land  cleared,  and  a  great  poi'tion  of  it  in  crops. 
He  has  raised,  of  wheat,  sixty  bushels ;  of  oats,  thirty 
bushels  ;  turnips,  fifty  bushels  (some  of  them  weighing  ten 
pounds) ;  parsnips,  seventy-five  bushels ;  potatoes,  four 
hundred  bushels  ;  onions,  two  bushels  ;  and  hay,  ten  tons. 
This  is  the  largest  clearing  in  Nemadji  township,  and  better 
land  cannot  be  found  anywhere.  I  have  seen  Mr.  Wright 
dig  a  bushel  of  potatoes  from  seven  hills,  and  I  think  the 
average  of  his  crop  will  yield  a  bushel  to  every  ten  hills. 
From  one  hill  he  dug  fifty-eight  potatoes,  and  this,  from 
new  land,  which  has  never  been  ploughed,  I  think  is  a  very 
fair  yield. 

"  From  the  Wrights  I  went  to  the  claim  of  Mr.  W.  F. 
Robinson,  who  has  a  little  over  two  acres  cleared,  on  which 
he  raised  twenty-five  bushels  of  potatoes,  one  hundred 
bushels  of  turnips,  and  two  tons  of  hay. 

"Adjoining  Mr.  Robinson  is  the  claim  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Crawford,  who  has  two  acres  cleared,  and  cut  eighteen  tons 
of  hay  from  one  meadow  on  his  place. 


AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES.  251 

"  From  this  I  visited  the  farm  of  Mr.  Wm.  E.  Slayton. 
The  river  runs  through  this  claim,  and  he  has  a  house  and 
a  clearing  on  each  side ;  upon  one  side  eight  acres  are 
under  cultivation,  upon  which  were  raised  two  hundred  and 
fifty  bushels  of  potatoes,  nine  hundred  heads  of  cabbages, 
and  fifty  bushels  of  turnips.  Crossing  the  river,  I  ex- 
amined the  other  clearing  of  over  three  acres  ;  here  he  had 
raised  six  hundred  bushels  of  potatoes,  and  larger  potatoes 
I  never  saw.  On  the  18th  of  June,  Mr.  Slayton  planted 
some  peas,  beans,  and  corn,  all  of  which  came  to  maturity, 
and  looked  well.  He  also  raised  half  a  barrel  of  large  and 
fine  cucumbers,  ten  bushels  of  beets,  five  tons  of  hay,  and 
small  quantities  of  pumpkins,  squashes,  carrots,  parsnips, 
vegetable  oysters,  lettuce,  etc.,  for  the  sake  of  experiment, 
all  of  which  came  to  maturity,  and  grew  large  and  fine. 
One  parsnip,  which  was  pulled  up  for  me  last  Saturday, 
measured  thirty-two  inches  ;  this  was  not  its  entire  length, 
as  the  end  remained  in  the  ground ;  a  beet  pulled  at  the 
same  time  measured  twenty  inches. 

"  The  next  place  I  visited  was  that  of  Mr.  Ira  F.  Holt, 
who  has  eight  acres  of  land  cleared,  on  which  he  raised 
four  hundred  bushels  of  potatoes,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of 
turnips,  and  two  of  tomatoes.  He  also  cut  sixteen  tons 
of  hay  on  one  meadow. 

"  But  I  fear  I  am  trespassing  on  your  good  nature,  and 
will  therefore  close  this  for  the  present,  although  I  have 
not  yet  spoken  of  Mr.  Burbank's  place,  upon  which  he  has 
raised  a  large  crop  of  potatoes,  turnips,  pumpkins,  etc., 
nor  that  of  Mr.  Nettleton,  and  others. 

"From  a  recapitulation  of  these  few  claims,  we  find 
that  of 

Land  cleared,  there  is 118  acres. 

Bushels  of  potatoes  raised 2130 

"  turnips 240 


252  AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES. 

Bushels  of  beets  20 

"           parsnips , 75 

"           onions 12 

*"           wheat 68 

"           oats 30 

Heads  of  cabbage 950 

Tons  of  hay  cut 99 

"You  will  perceive  that  potatoes  and  turnips  are  the 
principal  crops  raised — all  the  others  being  pretty  much  for 
the  sake  of  experimenting. " 

Mr.  F.  H.  Chasseur,  horticulturist,  in  a  letter  dated 
March  24,  1857,  says:  —  "Having,  like  many  other  for- 
tune-seekers, travelled  over  all  your  great  republic,  I  finally, 
by  the  advice  of  a  gentleman  of  Kentucky,  steered  my 
course  to  Superior,  where  I  found  everything  more  satis- 
factory than  I  expected.  I  did  not  come  to  this  place  for 
the  sake  of  speculation,  but  to  get  a  home  to  proceed  iu 
the  works  of  nature. 

"  Many  times  I  have  been  astonished  to  hear  individuals 
coming  from  still  further  northern  climates  say,  "but  it  is 
no  farming  country."  I  would  beg  strangers  not  to  judge 
the  '  dog  by  his  hair ;'  examine  first,  and  you  will  find  your 
error.  The  soil  in  and  around  Superior  contains  from  ten 
to  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  marl,  and  a  far  better  alkali 
than  we  find  in  the  animal  manure,  and  a  property  you  will 
not  find  in  your  black  soil.  Yes,  gentlemen,  in  a  soil  like 
the  one  we  have  here,  when  properly  worked,  one  is  able 
to  produce  almost  anything.  I  think,  for  my  part,  that  in 
the  many  fine  species  of  vegetables  that  were  exhibited  at 
your  office  last  fall,  we  already  have  had  satisfactory  proof 
of  this  assertion.  They  were,  indeed,  a  grand  show  ;  and 
far  better  than  I  have  seen  or  raised  myself  in  the  older 
States,  where  I  followed  gardening  for  fourteen  years. 
Farmers  well  know  that  snow  is  a  fertilizer,  and  small 
grain  protected  during  the  winter  months  is  sure  of  pro- 


AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES.  253 

dueing  a  good  crop.  Such  is  the  case  at  Superior.  Never 
in  my  days  have  I  experienced  a  finer  and  more  blessed 
winter ;  beneficial  to  the  crops,  yet  protected  from  the  rays 
of  the  sun,  which  would  otherwise  draw  up  the  weak  plants 
and  expose  them  to  the  frosts  at  night,  which  is  common 
in  northern  latitudes. 

"  The  vegetable,  as  well  as  the  floral  kingdom,  is  richer 
here  than  in  any  latitude  I  ever  met  with  before.  Many 
rare  and  fine  species  I  have  seen  in  the  wild  state ;  and  to 
my  great  surprise,  one  morning,  while  boating  on  the  beau- 
tiful Nemadji,  I  found  a  new  species  of  the  yellow  honey- 
suckle (caprifolium)  adorning  the  banks  of  that  stream.  I 
shall  never  forget  that  morning,  and  the  impression  made 
upon  my  mind  to  see  those  beautiful  banks,  richly  lined 
with  shrubbery,  and  interspersed  with  trees  of  different 
sorts,  so  tastefully  ordered.  I  have  frequently  met  with 
the  fine  Tiger  lily,  and  the  pretty  Aggeratus  (the  latter  I 
saw  last  spring  selling  in  New  York  at  twenty-five  cents 
each),  Ranunculus,  roses,  and  many  a  fine  species  of  the 
Umbelito  family.  Plums,  gooseberries  (without  mildew), 
strawberries,  whortleberries,  cranberries,  and  raspberries, 
grow  everywhere  throughout  the  woods,  and  as  good  as  I 
ever  saw  in  their  cultivated  state.  Finer  turnips — and  the 
Swedish  ruta  baga  with  other  kinds  —  I  have  never  seen 
since  I  left  Sweden.  The  potatoes  grown  here  excel  any- 
thing of  the  kind  I  have  ever  met  with.  They  contain 
more  starts,  and  are  consequently  more  nutritious  for  hu- 
man food.  A  specimen  of  wheat  raised  here  was  indeed  a 
fair  sample,  and  not  the  small  and  shrunken  grain  grown  in 
other  States,  but  full  and  plump.  From  my  observations 
I  confidently  believe  we  will  yet  raise  apples,  peas,  cherries, 
etc.,  because  I  say  about  this  country  as  Mr.  Cobbet  ex- 
presses himself  in  his  'American  Gardener'  about  Long 
22 


254  ST.    LOUIS    RIVER. 

Island,  New  York,  'When  you  see  the  blossom  the  fruit 
will  follow. ' 

"The  tiller  of  the  soil  abroad  who  wishes  to  get  a 
healthy,  rich,  and  cheap  home,  can,  from  the  above  state- 
ments, conclude  whether  or  not  to  settle  in  Superior. 
Farmers  are  wanted  here.  Without  them  no  country  can 
exist." 

THE   ST.  LOUIS  RIVER. 

This  river  rises  in  the  northeastern  part  of  Minnesota, 
and  enters  Lake  Superior  on  the  west.  It  is  extremely 
rocky,  and  so  full  of  sunken  boulders  and  dangerous  rapids 
that  it  never  could  be  made  navigable  further  up  than  Fond 
du  Lac,  which  is  twenty  miles  from  the  City  of  Superior. 
The  action  of  its  waters,  and  those  of  the  lake,  have  formed 
a  narrow  strip  of  land,  about  seven  miles  in  length,  jutting 
out  from  the  Minnesota  shore,  which,  in  connection  with  a 
similar  point  from  the  Wisconsin  shore,  in  an  opposite  di- 
rection, forms  the  Bay  of  Superior.  At  the  head  of  this 
bay  the  river  again  widens  out  into  another  bay  of  about 
the  same  size,  which  is  called  the  Bay  of  St.  Louis ;  from 
thence  to  Fond  du  Lac,  the  old  trading-post  of  the  Fur 
Company,  the  river  is  wide,  and  of  sufficient  depth  to  admit 
the  passage  of  any  of  the  craft  which  ply  upon  the  lake. 
It  is  somewhat  crooked,  containing  numerous  islands,  some 
wooded,  and  others  covered  with  excellent  grass,  and  fields 
of  wild  rice.  The  St.  Louis  flows  through  a  rich  alluvial 
bottom,  from  one  to  three  miles  in  width,  partly  timbered, 
and  partly  covered  with  natural  meadows.  From  the  Bay 
of  St.  Louis  to  the  falls,  its  northern  shore  is  bold  and 
rugged ;  the  bluffs  on  the  south  side  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  north  for  several  miles  below  the  falls.  Immense 
quantities  of  excellent  stone,  suitable  for  building  purposes, 
and  slate,  are  on  its  banks,  and  from  the  surface  indications 


AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES.  255 

we  would  infer  that  valuable  mineral  ores  abound.  During 
the  past  winter  the  lumbermen  have  not  been  idle  ;  the  first 
raft  consisted  of  twenty-nine  hundred  logs,  and  was  towed 
by  the  steamboat  James  Carson,  on  the  24th  of  May,  from 
near  Fond  du  Lac  to  the  Du  Luth  mill.  Much  of  the  land 
along  this  river  is  already  occupied  by  settlers,  and  the 
productions  raised  for  experiment  will  equal,  if  not  surpass, 
in  quality  and  size,  those  of  any  State  in  the  Union.  A 
great  many  specimens  of  vegetables,  etc.,  were  deposited 
at  the  office  of  the  "Chronicle"  for  the  purpose  of  exhibi- 
tion. Among  them  were  the  following  :  a  stalk  of  corn, 
eleven  feet  six  inches  long,  bearing  an  ear  fourteen  inches 
in  length,  and  well  proportioned ;  it  was  the  common  yel- 
low corn,  and  was  raised  from  a  grain  picked  up  on  Quebec 
pier ;  several  potatoes,  weighing  each  two  pounds.  Mr. 
D.  Geo.  Morrison  contributed  a  sample  of  very  large  pota- 
toes raised  in  St.  Louis  county,  containing  forty-Jive  to  the 
bushel.  There  were  also  many  specimens  of  ruta  baga 
turnips,  weighing  five,  six,  and  nine  pounds,  and  one  of 
eleven  pounds,  which  measured  thirty-five  inches  in  circum- 
ference. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

PRINCIPAL  TOWNS  CONTINUED — ONTONAGON — MARQUETTE 

EAGLE  RIVER — EAGLE  HARBOR  —  COPPER  HARBOR — BAY- 
FIELD—  LA  POINTE  —  BAY   CITY  AND   ASHLAND,  ETC. 

Ontonagon,  the  largest  mining  depot,  and  the  second 
town  in  size  on  Lake  Superior,  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Ontonagon  river.  The  most  productive  copper  mine 
in  the  world,  the  Minnesota,  which  we  have  before  de- 
scribed, and  several  other  very  promising  ones,  are  but  a 
short  distance  from  this  town.  It  has  a  population  of 
about  1200,  a  large  proportion  of  which  are  connected  with 
the  mines.  During  the  past  winter,  there  has  been  690 
feet  added  to  the  western  side  of  the  harbor,  making  the 
total  length  of  the  west  pier  1115  feet.  It  will  shortly 
receive  another  addition  of  100  feet,  which  will  carry  it  out 
into  twelve  feet  water.  The  eastern  pier  has  been  also  ex- 
tended, and  is  now  over  500  feet.  We  learn  from  the  On- 
tonagon Miner  of  June  15,  1857,  that  the  steamer  "Mine- 
ral Rock"  went  out  a  few  days  previous  with  123  tons  of 
copper  on  board,  and  drawing  over  eight  feet  water ;  this 
is  the  legitimate  effect  of  the  recent  improvement  of  the 
harbor.  A  new  brick  powder  magazine  is  shortly  to  be 
erected  on  the  river  above  Rose  island ;  an  improvement 
much  needed,  as  the  Ontonagon  district  uses  over  ten  thou- 
sand kegs  of  powder  yearly  ;  and  a  new  omnibus  makes 
daily  trips  to  the  mines  for  the  accommodation  of  the  tra- 
velling public.     Ontonagon  will,  in  less  than  three  years, 

(25G) 


PRINCIPAL    TOWNS.  257 

be  in  connection  with  Milwaukee  and  Chicago  by  railroad  ; 
when  these  roads  are  completed,  a  new  era  will  be  opened 
in  the  history  of  Lake  Superior  mining,  and  the  miners  will 
be  enabled  to  send  copper  to  market  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year.  The  value  of  the  copper  shipped  from  this  port  in 
1856  exceeded  $1,000,000. 

Marquette  is  one  of  the  most  important  and  flourishing 
towns  on  the  lake,  and  is  named  in  honor  of  one  of  the 
early  French  Jesuit  explorers.  It  owes  its  importance  to 
its  iron  mines,  and  may  be  appropriately  called  the  iron 
city  of  Lake  Superior.  Many  houses  were  erected  last 
year,  of  neat  and  tasteful  designs,  besides  four  stores,  a  car 
factory  for  the  Iron  Mountain  Railroad  Company,  an 
office  for  the  Canal  Company,  an  extensive  pier,  aud  the 
Marquette  House  has  been  enlarged  and  fitted  up.  The 
mines  are  a  few  miles  back  of  the  town,  connected  with  it 
by  a  railroad,  the  first  one  completed  on  Lake  Superior. 
The  amount  of  iron  shipped  from  this  port,  in  1856,  was 
20,538  gross  tons,  valued  at  $102,600.  The  facilities  for 
taking  out  ore,  and  carrying  it  to  the  lake,  are  now  such 
as  will  enable  the  various  companies  to  mine  upwards  of 
200,000  tons  the  present  year.  Immense  quantities  of 
marble  have  been  discovered,  of  various  shades  of  beauty, 
within  four  or  five  miles  from  the  town,  near  the  Iron 
Mountain  Railroad ;  new  varieties  are  constantly  being 
brought  to  light,  and  as  some  of  its  most  enterprising  citi- 
zens are  actively  engaged  in  developing  these  quarries, 
there  is  no  doubt  that,  in  a  year  or  two,  a  large  trade  will 
spring  up  with  the  Eastern  cities.  The  late  land  grant 
from  Government  to  the  State  of  Michigan  for  railroad 
purposes,  provides  for  two  roads  terminating  at  this  place. 
These  companies  are  now  united  with  the  Chicago,  St. 
Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac,  and  are  actively  at  work  at  various 
points  on  the  route  between  Marquette  and  Fond  du  Lac. 


258  PRINCIPAL    TOWNS. 

The  Marquette  Journal  of  June  20,  1857,  says:  —  "The 
number  of  buildings  now  in  progress  of  erection  is  nearly 
double  that  of  last  year,  while  the  railroad  and  manufac- 
turing interests  are  contributing  their  mighty  impulse  to 
expand  our  dimensions  and  importance.  At  the  Jackson 
mountain  the  miners  have  uncovered  a  perpendicular  wall 
of  some  160  feet  in  length  and  about  50  feet  high.  The 
ore  thus  exposed  is  of  the  very  best  quality,  and,  by  putting 
in  a  large  blast  a  quantity  can  be  thrown  out  of  from  100 
to  1000  tons." 

Eagle  River.  —  This  town,  as  a  copper-mining  depot, 
h  ,°econd  only  to  Ontonagon  ;  it  is  situated  on  one  of  the 
loveliest  spots  on  the  shore,  and  possesses  an  excellent 
harbor.  Six  miles  distant  is  the  celebrated  Cliff,  North 
America,  and  several  other  mines.  We  visited  the  two 
former,  and  were  astonished  at  the  numbers  of  immense 
masses  of  pure  copper,  weighing  from  three  to  eight  tons 
each,  lying  on  the  ground  ready  for  shipment,  and  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  one  weighing  six  tons  hoisted  out  of  the 
Cliff  mine,  These  masses  are  somewhat  unwieldy,  and  are 
carted  from  the  mines  to  the  lake,  and  then  hoisted  into  the 
holds  of  steam  propellers.  The  stamping  mills  are  an 
object  of  interest  to  visitors  ;  here  the  ore  is  well  crushed 
and  washed  ;  it  is  then  packed  in  kegs  ready  for  shipment. 
In  1856,  the  value  of  the  copper  exported  from  Eagle 
River  was  estimated  at  about  $1,000,000. 

Eagle  Harbor  is  steadily  iuci*easing  in  size,  and  in 
shipments  from  its  copper  mines.  It  has  an  excellent  har- 
bor, and  is  one  of  the  usual  stopping-places  of  the  steam- 
boats, on  their  way  to  and  from  the  head  of  the  lake. 

Copper  Harbor  is  situated  on  the  eastern  limits  of  the 
copper  range  ;  near  it  is  Fort  Wilkins,  a  place  of  delightful 
summer  resort,  of  considerable  reputation,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Dr.  Livermore. 


PRINCIPAL    TOWNS.  259 

Bayfield  is  situated  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Superior, 
opposite  or  near  the  Apostles'  islands,  in  La  Pointe  county, 
Wisconsin,  eighty  miles  below  Superior.  When  we  visited 
this  place  in  June,  1856,  not  a  house,  or  a  clearing,  marked 
the  spot  of  the  future  city ;  now  it  has  a  population  of 
several  hundred  inhabitants,  many  good  substantial  build- 
ings, including  a  large  hotel,  a  pier  four  hundred  feet  long, 
besides  a  large  steam  saw-mill,  and  a  well-edited  weekly 
newspaper,  called  the  Bayfield  Mercury.  It  is  surrounded 
with  a  rich  agricultural  country,  containing  vast  unde- 
veloped resources  of  minerals,  and  the  finest  varieties  of 
timber ;  it  possesses  a  most  excellent  harbor,  and  is  con- 
nected with  St.  Paul  by  a  good  wagon  road.  The  Bay- 
field branch  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Lake  Superior  Railroad 
terminates  here,  and  is  now  under  survey.  The  traveller 
cannot  help  contrasting  this  young  and  rising  place  with 
'the  ancient  settlement  of  La  Pointe  across  the  bay.  One 
was  settled  by  French,  Half-Breeds,  and  Indians.  Bnt 
Bayfield  shows  plainly  what  the  energy  and  activity  of  the 
American  race  can  accomplish. 

La  Pointe,  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the  Northwest, 
was  first  settled  by  the  French  Jesuits  and  traders  in  16S0. 
It  is  situated  on  Madeline,  the  largest  of  the  Apostles' 
islands,  four  hundred  and  twenty  miles  west  of  the  Sault 
Ste.  Marie.  The  air  of  vigorous  life  belonging  to  the  new 
settlement  is  wholly  wanting  here ;  everything  looks  old 
and  worn  out ;  the  dilapidated  pickets  that  formerly  en- 
closed the  place,  its  ruined  fort,  the  old  Fur  Company's 
buildings,  some  of  them  still  standing,  and  the  lazy,  care- 
less air  of  the  few  French  traders,  and  the  half-breeds 
lounging  about  the  wharves,  present  quite  a  sorrowful  con- 
trast with  the  bustle  and  business  of  many  other  points  on 
Lake  Superior. 

Dr.  Owen  says : — "As  a  site  for  a  town,  and  especially 


260  PRINCIPAL    TOWNS. 

as  a  place  of  resort  for  health  and  pleasure,  La  Pointe 
offers  advantages  beyond  any  portion  of  the  main  land  in 
Wisconsin.  As  a  fishing  station  it  is  unrivalled.  The 
bays  and  creeks  of  the  numerous  islands  and  main  shore 
are  amongst  the  best  fishing-grounds  on  the  whole  lake  for 
trout,  siskawit,  and  white  fish,  or  lake  shad.  It  lies  on  a 
magnificent  bay,  nearly  three  miles  across,  and  is  capable 
of  containing  at  anchor,  secure  from  all  winds,  a  numerous 
fleet  of  the  largest  class  vessels.  La  Pointe  was  originally 
selected  by  the  adventurous  traders  of  the  Northwest  Fur 
Company,  as  the  most  eligible  site  for  a  depot  and  trading- 
post  in  the  Northwest  Territory  ;  and  was,  for  a  long  time, 
their  principal  rendezvous,  and  the  centre  of  their  exten- 
sive and  wide-spread  operations.  It  is  not  only  one  of  the 
most  commanding  and  accessible  situations  on  Lake  Supe- 
rior, but  it  presents  one  of  the  most  agreeable  and  pic- 
turesque lake  scenes  the  tourist  can  well  imagine. 

"Lake  Superior  has,  at  times,  not  only  the  varied  inte- 
rest, but  the  sublimity  of  a  true  ocean.  Its  blue,  cold, 
transparent  waters,  undisturbed  by  tides,  lie,  during  a  calm, 
motionless  and  glassy  as  those  of  any  small,  secluded  lake, 
reflecting,  with  perfect  truth  of  form  and  color,  the  in- 
verted landscape  that  slopes  down  to  its  smooth,  sandy 
beach.  But  when  this  inland  sea  is  stirred  by  the  rising 
tempest,  the  long  sweep  of  its  waves,  and  the  curling  white- 
caps  that  crest  its  surface,  give  warning,  not  only  to  the 
light  bark  canoe,  still  much  used  along  its  shores,  but  also 
to  sloop  and  schooner  and  lake  steamer,  to  seek  some  shel- 
tering haven.  At  such  times,  craft  of  every  description 
may  be  seen  running  before  the  wind,  or  beating  up  against 
it,  all  making  for  the  most  favorite  harbor  on  the  lake  — 
the  sheltered  bay  of  Madeline  island." 

La  Pointe  is  often  mentioned  in  connection  with  many 
of  the  early  Jesuit  missionaries.     Here  was  the  scene  of 


PRINCIPAL    TOWNS.  261 

the  labors  of  Allouez,  of  the  distinguished  Marquette,  and 
of  an  Indian  battle  between  the  warlike  Dakotas  and  the 
Algonquins,  in  which  the  chapel  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  erected 
by  these  devoted  missionaries,  was  destroyed. 

Bay  City  and  Ashland  are  points  of  note  a  few  miles 
from  Bayfield,  at  the  head  of  Chegwomigon  Bay,  and  were 
laid  out  in  the  fall  of  1856.  Each  has  its  pier,  stores,  and 
buildings,  and  possesses  a  commodious  harbor,  with  a  depth 
of  water  from  twelve  to  thirty  feet.  In  a  few  years  they 
will  be  connected  with  Milwaukee  and  Chicago  by  railroads. 

Grand  Island  City  is  opposite  the  island  of  the  same 
name  ;  its  harbor  is  pronounced  by  Schoolcraft  to  be  one 
of  the  best  in  America ;  it  was  recently  laid  out  by  a  com- 
pany formed  in  Philadelphia,  who  are  actively  at  work  con- 
structing a  pier,  saw-mill,  hotel,  and  other  buildings,  and 
opening  a  road  to  Little  Bay  de  Noquet,  on  Green  Bay,  a 
distance  of  about  forty  miles. 

Buchanan,  Burlington,  Encampment  Island,  Bea- 
ter Bay,  Endion,  Saxon,  Hiawatha,  and  Grand  Port- 
age, are  all  flourishing  towns  on  the  north  shore  of  Min- 
nesota, and  some  of  them  numbering  their  hundreds  of 
inhabitants. 

Du  Luth,  at  the  head  of  the  Bay  of  Superior,  is  rapidly 
growing  in  importance  ;  a  large  amount  of  lumber  is  manu- 
factured here  ;  it  was  laid  out  in  1856,  and  now  contains 
several  hundred  inhabitants.  Extensive  quarries  of  fine 
blue  granite  have  been  discovered  and  worked  recently,  a 
short  distance  from  this  place,  and  as  they  lie  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  from  the  Bay  of  Superior,  will  be 
easily  shipped  to  market.  The  discovery  of  this  supply  of 
stone  will  be  the  commencement  of  a  new  era  in  building 
in  this  section  of  country. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   EARLY   SETTLER   OF   LAKE   SUPERIOR. 

The  progress  and  prosperity  of  the  new  towns  and  set- 
tlements bordering  on  this  magnificent  lake  have  been 
almost  marvellous  ;  yet  Nature  has  not  been  easily  won, 
or  her  treasures  gained  without  a  contest  worthy  of  their 
merits.  Those  who  have  viewed  the  first  openings  of  some 
of  these  towns,  must  have  been  impressed  with  the  com- 
fortless, lonely,  and  even  dreary  look  of  the  early  settler's 
small  log  cabin.  In  the  centre  of  a  dense  forest,  the  first 
footprints  of  civilization  in  this  wilderness  were  to  be  re- 
cognized only  by  the  felled  trees  and  decaying  boughs 
which  mark  the  site  of  his  labors  to  obtain  a  home  in  that 
distant  wild.  He  seems  not  unlike  the  .sinking  mariner 
clinging  in  desperation  to  the  wreck  of  a  frail  bark,  beaten 
by  the  surging  waves,  which  threaten  every  moment  to 
engulf  him.  Every  morning  the  same  boundless  forest 
greets  his  eye,  and  his  only  hope  against  its  encompassing 
him  forever,  lies  in  the  axe  resting  on  his  strong  shoulder, 
and  the  indomitable  courage  and  noble  resolution  throbbing 
in  his  bosom.  His  heart  beats  as  he  recognizes  in  the 
many  beauties  of  nature  by  which  his  every  step  is  sur- 
rounded, the  beneficent  hand  of  an  All-wise  Creator,  who 
has  guided  his  wandering  feet  to  these  highly-favored 
shores,  and  he  resolves,  by  perseverance  and  industry,  there 
to  establish  his  home. 

The  settler  has  a  cabin,  though  apparently  cheerless  and 

(202) 


THE    EARLY    SETTLER.  263 

devoid  of  comfort ;  but  he  is  contented,  and  even  happy 
Every  man  is  by  nature  a  poet,  and  there  is  no  path  in  life 
so  rude  and  thorny  that  its  miseries  are  not  softened  and 
its  desolation  gilded  by  poetry.  "  Hope  springs  eternal 
in  the  human  breast,"  and  stimulates  him  to  new  efforts. 
This  little  clearing  on  the  picturesque  and  beautiful  shores 
of  this  "  Father  of  Lakes,"  which,  to  some,  might  appear 
almost  unable  to  yield  subsistence,  is  his  home,  and  fancy 
has  tinged,  with  her  bright  and  glowing  colors,  the  dreams 
of  the  early  settler.  As  he  gazes  upon  his  small  posses- 
sion his  heart  swells  in  thankfuluess  to  his  Maker, 

"For  there  are  thoughts  which  God  alike  has  given 
To  high  and  low  —  and  these  are  thoughts  of  heaven." 

He  considers  not  its  size ;  to  him  it  encourages  expecta- 
tions of  an  extensive  farm,  fertile  fields  waving  with  golden 
grain,  and  hope  adds,  perhaps,  an  "Addition"  to  the  future 
city.  This  poetical  illusion,  this  dream  of  fancy,  as  you 
may  style  it,  sustains  him  in  his  fatiguing  labors,  and  con- 
tentment diffuses  her  bright  and  happy  influence  around  his 
rude  fireside. 

"Winter,  in  its  cold  cheerlessness,  flies  rapidly  by,  and, 
owing  to  the  fine  climate  of  Lake  Superior,  there  are  but 
few  days  in  which  he  cannot  toil  in  the  open  air.  He  is 
not  annoyed  by  the  piercing  blast,  rain,  and  sleet ;  it  is 
true,  earth  is  concealed  by  her  beautiful  covering  of  snow, 
but  it  serves  to  shield  the  tender  corn  he  has  planted  from 
the  destroying  frost.  But  now  the  warmer  air  seems  to 
predict  the  coming  of  lovely  spring,  and  clothes  in  strange 
beauty  his  forest  home.  Twilight  casts  her  softened  beams 
over  the  waving  forest,  tinging  it  with  the  roseate  hue  of 
even.  Near  the  cabin  is  seen  the  pioneer  busy  at  his  toil,  and 

His  axe  rings  sharply  'mid  those  forest  shades, 
Which  from  creation  towards  the  skies  had  tower'd 
In  unshorn  beauty. 


264  THE    EARLY    SETTLER. 

The  laughing  faces  of  his  happy  children  speak  peace  and 
contentment ;  he  has  made  himself  a  home  in  a  dense  wil- 
derness, and  it  is  the  boast  of  his  strength  and  manliness 
that  here  he  will  achieve  the  respectability  of  his  family. 
He  has  heard  the  story  of  thousands  of  settlers  in  Wiscon- 
sin, who  hare  been  victorious  in  the  same  struggle  with 
hardships,  and  he  resolves  to  follow  their  noble  example. 

Spring  has  returned  once  more,  bringing  with  it  not  only 
a  new  life  to  the  earth,  but  also  invigorating  the  strength 
of  man.  The  ice  king  relaxes  his  iron  grasp  on  the  waters 
of  the  lake,  and  all  nature  smiles.  Soon  the  sound  of  a 
bell  is  heard,  and  then  a  noble  steamboat  is  seen  ploughing 
the  waves  of  this  inland  sea.  Our  settler  receives  with 
open  arms  the  strangers,  and  bids  them  welcome  to  his 
cabin  until  they  have  made  their  "claims.'"  Thus  every 
boat  brings  a  full  complement  of  emigrants  —  farmers,  me- 
chanics, laborers,  speculators,  etc.,  all  busy  and  energetic; 
trees  are  cut  down,  houses  are  springing  up  on  all  sides, 
streets  being  cut  out  and  graded,  and  a  new  town  rapidly 
rises  on  the  shores  of  this  beautiful  lake.  The  current  of 
population  still  flows  on  to  this  favored  spot.  Now  mark 
its  progress  ;  where  the  first  lonely  cabin  of  our  friend  the 
settler  was  situated,  is  now  occupied  by  his  own  neat  frame 
house  ;  further  on  are  rows  of  comfortable  dwellings  ;  here 
a  saw-mill ;  there  a  church.  One  would  think  we  were 
transported  back  to  the  days  of  "Aladdin,"  and  his  kind 
genius  was  moving  about  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior. 
One  of  his  dreams  is  accomplished  —  his  "claim"  is  now 
included  in  the  town  ;  where  he  once  toiled  from  morn  till 
night  to  clear  a  few  acres,  is  now  selling  at  so  much  per 
lot ;  he  sees  himself  growing  richer  every  day  with  the 
growth  of  the  town  ;  the  railroad  bill  is  passed,  and  the 
road  commenced  a  short  distance  from  him.  He  cannot 
realize  his  good  fortune  ;  his  children  now  are  well  dressed, 


THE    EARLY    SETTLER.  265 

and  you  meet  their  smiling  faces  on  their  way  to  the  little 
log  school-house.  One  would  think  that  they  had  never 
known  the  hardships  of  a  "  pioneer  life." 

Winter  comes  again,  and  finds  our  friend  snug  and  com- 
fortable in  his  new  house.  The  coldest  winds  may  blow, 
the  snow  may  fall,  but  what  matter  ?  All  day  long,  and 
at  night,  huge  fires  are  blazing  in  his  hearth ;  his  store- 
house is  filled  abundantly  with  the  good  things  of  life.  As 
he  sits  at  his  fireside,  his  thoughts  revert  to  his  native 
place — to  the  old  homestead — to  the  days  of  his  boyhood, 
when  his  father  and  himself  toiled  from  morn  till  night,  and 
barely  eked  out  a  subsistence,  in  one  of  the  Eastern  States. 
He  well  recollects  the  day  he  first  heard  of  the  Northwest 
—  of  Wisconsin  —  of  Lake  Superior — where  thousands  of 
acres  were  opened  to  pre-emption.  It  was  hard  to  leave 
his  childhood's  home,  but  he  had  a  young  family  of  his  own 
to  look  up  to  him.  Shall  he  bring  them  up  to  poverty  and 
want,  or  bid  adieu  to  home  and  friends  and  try  the  North- 
west ?  He  emigrates  ;  and  now  when  he  looks  at  his  chil- 
dren, as  they  are  playing  about,  and  the  dear  partner  of 
his  life,  his  heart  swells  with  thankfulness  to  the  beneficent 
Creator  of  all  things.  He  thanks  Him,  that  he  was  born 
in  a  free  and  happy  land,  under  the  protection  of  such  a 
government;  for  the  pre-emption  law,  that  protects  the 
poor  man,  and  enables  him  to  have  his  own  "vine  and  fig 
tree;"  last  of  all,  but  not  least,  that  his  wandering  steps 
were  directed  to  these  shores. 

My  readers,  this  is  no  fancy  sketch,  but  a  true  picture 
of  the  life  of  many  early  settlers,  not  only  on  Lake  Supe- 
rior, but  also  in  many  other  places  in  the  Northwest. 
Here  are  golden  opportunities  opening  every  day  to  emi- 
grants. Immense  tracts  of  the  finest  land  in  the  country 
are  still  open  to  pre-emption,  and  let  no  man  say  "I  am 
23 


266  THE    EARLY    SETTLER. 

too  late,"  while  he  has  land  inviting,  and  the  strong  arm 
of  the  law  protecting  him.  Should  he  want  a  market  for 
his  produce,  here  are  steamboats  and  railroads  at  his  very 
door.  Let  the  example  of  this  early  settler  induce  others 
to  do  likewise,  and  reap,  as  he  now  does,  the  reward  of 
his  sagacity  and  enterprise. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

A  TOUR  —  MILWAUKEE    TO  ST.  PAUL  —  STEAMBOAT   LIFE 

SCENERY    ON    THE    UPPER    MISSISSIPPI  —  LAKE    PEPIN 

TOWNS  —  ST.   PAUL  —  ITS   IMPROVEMENTS,    ETC. CANOE 

VOYAGE   ON   THE   ST.  CROIX   AND   BRULE    RIVERS   TO   THE 
CITY   OF   SUPERIOR. 

As  few  travellers  to  the  Northwest  are  now  willing  to 
retrace  their  steps  before  reaching  the  regions  of  the 
"Upper  Mississippi,"  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony,  and  per- 
haps the  newly-settled  city  at  the  head  of  Lake  Superior, 
a  short  description  of  such  a  tour  may  not  be  without  inte- 
rest to  some  of  my  readers.1 

Who  would  have  supposed,  even  five  years  ago,  that 
such  an  extended  tour  could  be  made,  or  that  Lake  Supe- 
rior, which  was  then  the  Ultima  Thule  of  American  geo- 
graphy, would  be  traversed  by  tri-weekly  lines  of  steam- 
boats, laden  with  passengers  and  freight,  in  the  year  1857  ? 
Yet  these  are  the  facts,  and  in  three  years,  at  the  very 
farthest,  a  continuous  line  of  railroad  will  reach  from  Mil- 
waukee to  St.  Paul,  the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  and  pro- 
bably to  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

I  Very  few  Eastern  people  have  a  correct  conception  of 
the  progress  of  the  Northwest.  The  imagination  of  some 
is  filled  with  visions  of  boundless  prairies,  with  their  rich 
soil  and  vegetation  —  a  wide  expanse  of  natural  garden 
plot ;  others,  again,  picture  to  themselves  lonely  settlements 

1  For  the  table  of  distances,  see  p.  159. 

(207) 


268  A    TOUR. 

in  dense  forests,  or  Indian  lodges  on  the  banks  of  some 
rapid  river.  A  very  short  time  since  Wisconsin  was  con- 
sidered the  far  West ;  now  its  fertile  prairies  are  beginning' 
to  be  thickly  dotted  over  with  the  comfortable  homes  of 
settlers,  and  its  forests  are  rapidly  disappearing  before  the 
demands  of  commerce.  The  few  solitary  Indians  scattered 
about  here  and  there,  serve  but  to  remind  one  of  the  past, 
and  of  the  progress  of  the  "pale  faces." 

Taking  Milwaukee  as  the  starting-point,  the  traveller  ig 
quickly  carried  over  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  Rail- 
road, through  some  of  the  finest  scenery  and  richest  agri- 
cultural counties  in  Wisconsin.  In  a  few  hours,  the  beau- 
tiful city  of  Madison  and  the  "Four  Lakes"  are  passed, 
and  the  train  enters  the  magnificent  valley  of  the  Wiscon- 
sin, which  is  about  three  miles  wide,  and  runs  nearly  due 
west  for  forty  miles.  It  is  very  level,  and  surrounded  on 
either  side  with  picturesque  bluffs,  rising  to  the  height  of 
from  three  to  five  hundred  feet.  Along  this  valley  the 
train  sweeps  in  fine  style  ;  the  road  is  so  direct  and  smooth, 
that  the  rate  of  thirty  miles  an  hour  is  attained  without  the 
passengers  being  incommoded  by  the  motion  of  the  cars. 
At  this  speed  Prairie  du  Chien,  the  terminus  of  the  road, 
is  soon  reached.  Here  a  first-class  steamboat  is  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  the  train,  and  in  a  short  time  is  rapidly 
ploughing  the  waters  of  this  mighty  river. 

These  steamboats  are  among  the  best  in  the  country,  the 
cabins  spacious  and  elegant,  the  state-rooms  commodious, 
and  the  tables  equal  to  the  ordinaries  of  the  best  hotels. 
The  officers  are  not  only  accommodating,  but  particnlarly 
polite  and  hospitable,  treating  the  passengers  as  their 
guests,  and  taking  pains  to  render  the  voyage  agreeable. 
A  trip  to  St.  Paul '  on  one  of  these  boats  often  resembles 
a  party  of  pleasure,  and  combines  in  its  incidents  much 
1  This  trip  to  St.  Paul  has  been  made  in  70  hours  from  New  York. 


A    TOUR.  269 

variety  and  no  small  degree  of  luxury.  Large  and  cheer- 
ful parties  thus  meet,  and,  as  they  must  necessarily  be  at 
least  one  day  together,  accommodate  themselves  to  each 
other,  and  at  night,  when  the  spacious  cabin  is  lighted  up, 
enlivened  by  the  merry  notes  of  the  piano  or  violin,  and 
filled  with  well-dressed  persons,  engaged  in  the  mazy  dance, 
it  seems  more  like  a  floating  palace  than  a  mere  conveyance 
for  travellers. 

What  a  motley  mixture  compose  the  passengers  on  an 
"up  river"  steamboat.  Here  are  persons  going  out  to 
look  at  the  country,  and  select  homes  for  their  families, 
travellers  on  business,  and  parties  for  pleasure,  besides  nu- 
merous emigrants.  Many  little  episodes  of  life  are  daily 
occurring,  strongly  marked  and  full  of  interest.  How 
many  of  those  who  come  out  to  settle  are  incapable  of  en- 
during a  brief  pioneer  experience  !  Even  where  the  ob- 
stacles are  lightest,  and  the  goal  nearest,  there  are  many 
who  have  neither  faith  nor  courage  to  meet  them. 

The  scenery  of  the  "Upper  Mississippi"  is  truly  magni- 
ficent ;  its  charm  consists  in  the  succession  of  beautiful 
pictures  presented  to  the  eye ;  as  soon  as  one  disappears, 
another  opens  to  the  view.  The  bluffs  on  either  side  of  the 
river  constitute  some  of  the  most  picturesque  scenery  in  the 
world,  often  rising  over  two  hundred  feet  above  the  water 
level,  and  remind  one  of  huge  fortifications  in  the  distance. 
The  rocks  jutting  out  of  the  sides  of  some  of  them,  appear 
to  have  been  cut  smooth  by  a  sculptor's  chisel ;  occasion- 
ally they  rise  to  a  sharp  peak,  the  top  and  sides  of  which 
are  thinly  covered  with  trees  of  various  kinds  ;  at  intervals 
the  cabins  of  the  settlers  may  be  seen  at  the  foot  of  some 
of  these  bluffs.  The  river,  in  many  places,  is  full  of  islands, 
thickly  wooded  with  willow  and  other  trees,  and  shrubbery 
covered  with  vines. 

About  one  hundred  miles  above  Prairie  du  Chien  the 
23* 


270  A    TOUR. 

scenery  changes  from  the  beautiful  and  the  picturesque  to 
an  aspect  of  grandeur ;  some  of  the  bluffs  rise  to  an  alti- 
tude of  over  six  hundred  feet,  thinly  covered  with  trees, 
giving  them  a  mysterious  beauty,  impossible  to  describe  ; 
about  seventy  miles  above  Winona,  the  river  widens,  and 
forms  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  called  Lake  Pepin,  which 
is  surrounded  by  high  bluffs.  At  the  entrance  is  seen  one 
higher  than  the  rest,  standing  out  in  bold  relief,  called  the 
Maiden's  Rock,  or  Cap  des  Sioux  ;  from  this  rock,  tradi- 
tion informs  us,  Winona,  the  daughter  of  an  Indian  chief, 
precipitated  herself,  rather  than  marry  one  she  could  not 
love.  If  the  steamboat  enters  this  lake  at  the  close  of  a 
clear  summer's  day,  the  view  presented  is  truly  sublime,  and 

"  Long  shadows  fall 
More  darkly  o'er  the  wave  as  day  declines. 
Yet  from  the  West  a  deeper  glory  shines, 
While  every  crested  bluff  and  rocky  height, 
Each  moment  varies  in  the  kindling  light 
To  some  new  form  of  beauty — changing  through 
All  shades  and  colors  of  the  rainbow's  hue, 
'The  last  still  loveliest,'  till  the  gorgeous  day 
Melts  in  a  flood  of  golden  light  away, 
And  all  is  o'er." 

But  there  are  many  important  towns  situated  on  the 
banks  of  this  noble  river,  and  some  of  them  require  at 
least  a  passing  notice.  La  Crosse,  the  terminus  of  the  La 
Crosse  and  Milwaukee  Railroad,  in  1853,  contained  some 
four  or  five  stores,  and  perhaps  fifty  dwellings  ;  now  it  is  a 
thriving  place,  with  over  5000  inhabitants.  Winona,  forty 
miles  above,  on  the  Minnesota  shore,  is  another  instance 
of  rapid  growth  ;  last  year  over  six  hundred  new  buildings 
were  erected,  and  the  population  now  exceeds  4000.  Red 
Wing,  a  few  miles  above,  was  settled  about  the  same  year, 
and   has   now   a   population   of  about   2000.     Hastings, 


A    TOUR.  ^  211 

thirty-five  miles  below  St.  Paul,  is  a  very  thriving  town, 
and  its  landing  always  displays  a  busy  scene.  Nininger 
City,  seven  miles  above  Hastings,  was  laid  out  by  Messrs. 
John  Nininger  and  Ignatius  Donnelly,  in  the  fall  of  1856, 
and  now  contains  about  one  hundred  buildings  and  a  popu- 
lation of  at  least  five  hnndred.  The  sudden  growth  of  this 
place  shows  what  combination  and  concentrated  effort  can 
do  to  assist  location.  A  few  miles  further  is  Kaposia,  for- 
merly called  Crow  Village,  from  being  the  residence  of  a 
band  of  Sioux  Indians,  who  were  removed  two  years  ago 
by  orders  from  Government. 

Soon  after  leaving  Kaposia,  the  beautiful  panorama  of 
St.  Paul,  the  Diadem  city  of  the  Northwest,  and  its  sur- 
rounding country,  burst  on  the  view.  On  a  high  bluff,  on 
the  eastern  bank  of  the  river,  the  city  is  seen  spread  out, 
with  its  conspicuous  public  buildings  and  churches,  and 
numerous  steamboats  at  its  landing.  Every  American  has 
heard  of  St.  Paul ;  its  rapid  growth  has  caused  great  as- 
tonishment ;  this,  however,  none  can  adecjuately  realize  but 
those  who  have  visited  the  place  in  its  early  days.  He  who 
saw  this  city  as  it  was  eight  years  ago,  and  sees  it  as  it  is 
now,  might  well  conceive  that  nothing  short  of  supernatural 
power  could  have  produced  the  marvellous  change.  It  was 
nought,  however,  but  the  miracle  of  American  courage  and 
perseverance,  fostered  under  American  institutions. 

After  an  interval  of  four  years,  I  revisited  this  rising  me- 
tropolis ;  on  arrival  at  the  landing  I  observed  that  the  bluff 
had  been  cut  away,  and  the  place  where  one  formerly  was 
obliged  to  climb  a  steep  flight  of  steps  to  reach  the  street 
was  now  occupied  by  large  stone  warehouses.  Along  Third 
street  the  change  was,  if  possible,  more  striking  ;  nearly  all 
the  old  frame  houses  were  removed,  and  many  handsome  brick 
and  stone  stores  filled  their  places.  The  First  Presbyterian 
church  remained  as  formerly,  but  its  founder,  that  true 


2T2  A    TOUR. 

friend  of  Minnesota,  the  Rev.  E.  D.  Neill,  no  longer  offi- 
ciated ;  he  has  charge  now  of  the  new  College  lately  erected 
by  his  efforts  in  "Upper  Town."  The  Capitol  building, 
the  Winslow  House,  and  the  Central  Presbyterian  church, 
which  I  daily  observed  in  process  of  construction,  had 
been  completed  over  two  years.  Nor  had  the  march  of 
improvement  been  confined  only  to  this  part  of  the  city ; 
the  dense  forest,  which  formerly  covered  what  is  now  West 
St.  Paul,  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  had  been 
cleared  off  and  laid  out  into  town  lots.  Before  these 
changes  were  made,  the  smoke  of  the  approaching  steam- 
boat could  be  distinctly  seen  from  Third  street,  above  the 
tops  of  the  trees,  several  hours  before  its  arrival,  and  num- 
bers used  to  hurry  down  to  the  landing  to  meet  their 
friends  ;  now  so  many  boats  arrive  daily,  that  the  only  ones 
who  appear  interested  in  them  are  the  drivers  of  the  differ- 
ent hotel  coaches,  who  congregate  on  the  landing,  loudly 
vociferating  to  the  unfortunate  travellers  —  Fuller  House, 
Winslow,  American,  Snelling,  &c. 

Of  the  numerous  Indians  that  formerly  were  to  be  seen 
in  all  parts  of  St.  Paul,  not  one  remained.  They,  too,  had 
retreated  before  the  march  of  improvement  to  the  distant 
wilderness  towards  the  setting  sun.  It  was  highly  grati- 
fying to  me  to  find  that  so  many  of  the  "old  residents" 
had  increased  in  wealth  along  with  the  city,  and  that  the 
pioueer  newspapers,  the  St.  Paul  Pioneer  and  Democrat, 
and  the  Daily  Minnesotian,  had,  from  their  altered  appear- 
ance, also  shared  in  the  general  prosperity.  These  papers 
are  now  published  daily,  and  have  an  extensive  circulation 
throughout  the  entire  Union. 

Were  a  stranger  informed,  on  first  arriving,  that  the 
greater  part  of  the  present  site  of  this  city  could,  nine 
years  ago,  have  been  purchased  at  $125  per  acre,  he  would 
feel  himself  justified  in  believing  his  informant  was  im- 


A    TOUR.  273 

posing  upon  his  credulity ;  and  when  I  compare  the  pre- 
sent  St.  Paul  with  the  first  sketch  ever  taken  by  an  artist, 
from  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  and  which  I  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  engraver,  I  myself  can  hardly  realize  the 
change.  Mr.  Bond  afterwards  copied  this  lithograph,  and 
it  may  be  seen  in  his  work  on  Minnesota  and  its  Resources. 

In  1849,  when  the  Hon.  Alexander  Ramsey  was  ap- 
pointed the  first  Governor  of  Minnesota,  there  was  but  a 
handful  of  people  in  the  whole  territory,  and  they  princi- 
pally Canadians  and  half-breeds  ;  now  the  present  popula- 
tion of  St.  Paul  alone  exceeds  15,000,  and  in  1856  the 
number  of  visitors  arriving  from  January  to  July,  at  only 
•four  of  its  principal  hotels,  was  28,000.  In  1849  there 
were  85  steamboat  arrivals,  and  in  1856  they  had  increased 
to  831.  Several  railroads  are  now  rapidly  approaching,  to 
connect  it  with  the  Eastern  cities  and  Lake  Superior. 

Having  always  asserted  that  a  great  city  would  natu- 
rally spring  up  at  the  head  of  navigation  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, and  that  another  icould  also  arise  at  the  head  of 
Lake  Superior,  in  Wisconsin,  and  altogether  disclaiming 
any  consideration  as  a  foreteller  of  future  events,  yet, 
let  any  one,  if  he  can,  now  deny  either  fact. 

We  might  proceed  to  describe  the  Fuller  House,  the 
largest  hotel  in  the  Northwest,  the  old  Catholic  church, 
from  which  St.  Paul  takes  its  name,  the  Historical  So- 
ciety's building,  the  Baldwin  school,  the  numerous  beau- 
tiful private  residences,  the  gas  works,  the  new  bridge 
across  the  river,  the  famous  cave,  the  pleasant  afternoon 
drives  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  and  the  lovely  Minne- 
haha, Fort  Snelling,  the  sailing  and  fishing  on  Lakes  Min- 
netonka  and  White  Bear,  and  many  other  objects  of  inte- 
rest, which  our  limits  will  not  allow.  One  little  occurrence 
is  worth  mentioning  ;  strolling  along  Fort  street  one  even- 
ing, in  company  with  several  friends,  as  far  as  Winslow's 


274  A    TOUR. 

Addition,  we  observed  a  German  family,  consisting  of  five 
persons,  seated  under  a  little  arbor  in  the  centre  of  their 
garden,  each  playing  upon  some  musical  instrument.  We 
listened  with  great  interest  for  some  time,  until  the  gather- 
ing shades  of  twilight  admonished  us  to  retrace  our  steps 
homeward,  and  then  requested,  at  parting,  one  of  their 
favorite  airs  ;  they  complied,  and  played  a  most  beautiful 
and  touching  German  melody.  The  wife  and  mother  ap- 
peared much  affected,  and  with  difficulty  finished  her  part ; 
her  thoughts,  evidently,  were  carried  to  the  home  of  her 
childhood,  so  far  away  in  the  Old  Fatherland. 

VOYAGE  ON  THE  ST.  CROIX  AND  BRULE  RIVERS  TO  LAKE 
SUPERIOR. 

One  pleasant  morning  in  the  month  of  June,  a  few  friends 
of  the  author,  tempted  by  the  pleasing  anticipations  of 
hunting  and  fishing,  left  St.  Paul  for  the  City  of  Superior, 
by  the  way  of  the  St.  Croix  river,  preferring  this  as  the 
most  romantic  route,  affording  them  an  opportunity  of 
camping  out,  and  ascending  this  river  in  canoes.  The 
party  consisted  of  seven  persons,  and,  on  arrival  at  the  St. 
Croix  Falls,  found  two  bark  canoes  which  had  been  sent 
from  the  lake  to  meet  them,  in  charge  of  four  voyageurs. 
The  navigation  here  commenced ;  one  voyageur,  pole  in 
hand,  stood  at  each  end,  and  the  swiftness  of  the  stream 
required  them  to  exert  great  strength  and  dexterity  to  urge 
the  light  bark  forward.  The  provisions,  baggage,  tent, 
and  passengers,  completely  filled  the  canoes.  After  leaving 
St.  Croix  Falls,  no  houses  were  seen  until  Superior  came 
in  sight. 

The  party  were  obliged  to  camp  at  night,  and  landed  to 
cook  through  the  day.  The  Upper  St.  Croix  is  a  beau- 
tiful stream,  in  romantic  scenery  surpassing  the  Mississippi ; 
it  has  its  source  in  a  lake  of  considerable  size,  of  the  same 


A    TOUR.  275 

name.  There  the  company  landed,  each  man  carpet-bag 
in  hand,  to  cross  the  portage,  in  order  to  reach  the  Brule, 
or  what  is  called  on  the  map  Burnt  Wood,  a  distance  of 
two  miles,  up  hill  all  the  way.  The  voyageurs  carried  over 
the  canoes  and  provisions,  and  launched  them  again  on  this 
narrow  stream,  800  feet  above  the  waters  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior ;  its  width  at  this  point  is  about  four  feet,  but  widens 
and  becomes  more  rapid  in  its  descent,  until  the  canoe  has 
to  be  held  back  by  the  navigators.  This  little  stream  sur- 
passes, if  possible,  the  St.  Croix  in  beauty ;  its  banks  are 
lined  with  verdure,  and  the  trees  and  shrubbery  in  many 
places  meeting  overhead,  form  a  continuous  grove,  through 
which  the  clear  water  meanders  with  a  gentle  murmur. 
Numerous  adventures  occurred  on  the  route,  and  many 
porcupines,  muskrats,  deer,  ducks,  geese,  sturgeon  and 
trout  were  obtained,  and  after  sundry  picking,  cleaning, 
&c,  they  at  last  found  the  way  into  the  camp  kettle,  and 
were  considered  delicacies  after  living  on  salt  pork.  The 
porcupines  and  the  rats,  however,  were  left  to  the  refined 
taste  of  the  voyageurs,  who  soon  made  way  with  them. 

After  many  exciting  incidents,  the  voyage  terminated  at 
the  City  of  Superior  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  having 
started  from  the  last  camp  at  3  o'clock.  The  shore  of  the 
lake  resembles  the  sea-side — sand,  with  the  surf  roaring  and 
beating  on  it.  When  the  canoes  were  upon  the  lake  the 
billows  were  running  at  least  three  feet  high,  but  the  little 
vessels  being  of  so  light  weight,  and  managed  by  skilful 
hands,  they  rode  the  waves  in  safety,  and  reached  Superior 
after  a  twelve  days'  trip  from  St.  Paul. 

Here  they  found  a  large  hotel  —  the  Superior  House  — 
kept  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Willard,  and  were  delighted  with  the 
excellent  fare  and  celebrated  lake  trout.  After  a  few  days 
pleasantly  spent  in  this  rising  city,  they  embarked  on  one 
of  the  floating  palaces,  and  coasted  along  the  north  shore 


276  A    TOUR. 

of  Lake  Superior  to  Isle  Royale ;  then  the  steamboat  di- 
rected her  course  towards  the  opposite  shore,  and  soon 
arrived  at  the  famous  copper  region,  at  each  port  taking 
in  quantities  of  pure  ore,  both  in  "masses"  and  in  barrels  ; 
thence  her  course  was  to  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  passing  the 
"Pictured  Rocks,"  against  whose  front  the  waves  dash  in 
storms  with  a  continuous  roar  ;  shortly  after  doubled  White 
Fish  Point,  and  entered  the  St.  Mary's  river,  passed 
through  the  far-famed  Sault  Ste.  Marie  Canal,  and  arrived 
at  Mackinaw.  At  this  point  the  party  separated  ;  some 
took  steamboat  for  Chicago,  others  for  Cleveland,  and  one 
or  two  the  Collingwood  boats,  and  returned  to  their  homes 
via  Canada  and  Niagara.  They  found  the  atmosphere  of 
Lake  Superior  perfectly  delightful,  and  its  waters,  during 
the  entire  voyage,  perfectly  calm,  with  not  even  a  ripple  to 
disturb  its  glassy-like  appearance. 


PART    III 


APPENDIX. 

CONSTITUTION  OF  WISCONSIN -STATE  GOVERNMENT  AND 
INSTITUTIONS -POST-OFFICES  IN  WISCONSIN  -  LIST  OF 
NEWSPAPERS. 


24  (277) 


APPENDIX. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    WISCONSIN. 


PREAMBLE. 

We,  the  people  of  Wisconsin,  grateful  to  Almighty  God  for  our  freedom,  in  order 
to  secure  its  blessings,  form  a  more  perfect  government,  insure  domestic  tranquil- 
lity, and  promote  the  general  welfare,  do  establish  this  Constitution. 

ARTICLE    I. 

DECLARATION  OF  RIGHTS. 

Section  1.  All  men  are  born  equally  free  and  independent,  and  hare  certain  inhe- 
rent rights:  among  these  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  To  secure 
these  rights,  governments  are  instituted  among  men,  deriving  their  just  powers  from 
the  consent  of  the  governed. 

2.  There  shall  be  neithers  lavery  nor  involuntary  servitude  in  this  State,  other- 
wise than  for  the  punishment  of  crime,  whereof  the  party  shall  have  been  duly 
convicted. 

3.  Every  person  may  freely  speak,  write  and  publish  his  sentiments  on  all  sub- 
jects, being  responsible  for  the  abuse  of  that  right,  and  no  laws  shall  be  passed  to 
restrain  or  abridge  the  liberty  of  speech  or  of  the  press.  In  all  criminal  prosecutions 
or  indictments  for  libel,  the  truth  may  be  given  in  evidence ;  and  if  it  shall  appear 
to  the  jury  that  the  matter  charged  as  libellous  be  true,  and  was  published  with 
good  motives,  and  for  justifiable  ends,  the  party  shall  be  acquitted;  and  the  jury 
shall  have  the  right  to  determine  the  law  and  the  fact. 

4.  The  right  of  the  people  peaceably  to  assemble  to  consult  for  the  common  good, 
and  to  petition  the  government  or  any  department  thereof,  shall  never  be  abridged. 

6.  The  right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  remain  inviolate;  and  shall  extend  to  all  cases 
at  law,  without  regard  to  the  amount  in  controversy ;  but  a  jury  trial  may  be  waived 
by  the  parties  in  all  cases,  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  law. 

6.  Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  shall  excessive  fines  be  imposed,  nor 
jhall  cruel  and  unusual  punishments  be  inflicted. 

7.  In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  right  to  be  heard  by 

(278) 


CONSTITUTION.  279 

himself  and  counsel;  to  demand  the  nature  and  cause  of  the  accusation  against 
him;  to  meet  the  witnesses  face  to  face;  to  have  compulsory  process  to  compel  the 
attendance  of  witnesses  in  his  behalf:  and  in  prosecutions  by  indictment  or  infor- 
mation, to  a  speedy  public  trial  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  county  or  district 
wherein  the  offence  shall  have  been  committed,  which  county  or  district  shall  have 
been  previously  ascertained  by  law. 

8.  No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  criminal  offence,  unless  on  the  present- 
ment or  indictment  of  a  grand  jury,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment,  or  in  cases 
cognizable  by  justices  of  the  peace,  or  arising  in  the  army  or  navy,  or  in  the  militia 
when  in  actual  service  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger;  and  no  person,  for  the  same 
offence,  shall  be  put  twice  in  jeopardy  of  punishment,  nor  shall  be  compelled  in  any 
criminal  case  to  be  a  witness  against  himself.  All  persons  shall,  before  conviction, 
be  bailable  by  sufficient  sureties,  except  for  capital  offences,  when  the  proof  is  evi- 
dent, or  the  presumption  great;  and  the  privilege  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall 
not  be  suspended  unless  when,  in  case  of  rebellion  or  invasion,  the  public  safety 
may  require. 

9.  Every  person  is  entitled  to  a  certain  remedy  in  the  laws,  for  all  injuries  or 
wrongs  which  he  may  receive  in  his  person,  property,  or  character;  he  ought  to  ob- 
tain justice  freely,  and  without  being  obliged  to  purchase  it;  completely  and  with- 
out denial,  promptly  and  without  delay,  conformably  to  the  laws. 

10.  Treason  against  the  State  shall  consist  only  in  levying  war  against  the  same, 
or  in  adhering  to  its  enemies  giving  them  aid  and  comfort.  No  person  shall  be 
convicted  of  treason  unless  on  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act, 
or  on  confession  in  open,  court. 

11.  The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  persons,  houses,  papers,  and 
effects,  against  unreasonable  searches  and  seizures,  shall  not  be  violated;  and  no 
warrant  shall  issue  but  upon  probable  cause,  supported  by  oath  or  affirmation,  and 
particularly  describing  the  place  to  be  searched,  and  the  persons  or  things  to  be 
seized. 

12.  No  bill  of  attainder,  ex  post  facto  law,  nor  any  law  impairing  the  obligation 
of  contracts,  shall  ever  be  passed ;  and  no  conviction  shall  work  corruption  of  blood 
or  forfeiture  of  estate. 

13.  The  property  of  no  person  shall  be  taken  for  public  use  without  just  compen- 
sation therefor. 

14.  All  lands  within  the  State  are  declared  to  be  allodial,  and  feudal  tenures  are 
prohibited.  Leases  and  grants  of  agricultural  land,  for  a  longer  term  than  fifteen 
years,  in  which  rent  or  service  of  any  kind  shall  be  reserved,  and  all  fines  and  like 
restraints  upon  alienation,  reserved  in  any  grant  of  land,  hereafter  made,  are  de- 
clared to  be  void. 

15.  No  distinction  shall  ever  be  made  by  law  between  resident  aliens  and  citizens, 
in  reference  to  the  possession,  enjoyment  or  descent  of  property. 

16.  No  person  shall  be  imprisoned  for  debt  arising  out  of  or  founded  on  a  con- 
tract, expressed  or  implied. 

17.  The  privilege  of  the  debtor  to  enjoy  the  necessary  comforts  of  life  shall  be  re- 
cognized by  wholesome  laws,  exempting  a  reasonable  amount  of  property  from, 
seizure  or  sale,  for  the  payment  of  any  debt  or  liability  hereafter  contracted. 

18.  The  right  of  every  man  to  worship  Almighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of 
his  own  conscience,  shall  never  be  infringed;  nor  shall  any  man  be  compelled  to 
attend,  erect,  or  support  any  place  of  worship,  or  to  maintain  any  ministry,  against 
his  consent.  Nor  shall  any  control  of.  or  interference  with  the  rights  of  conscience 
be  permitted,  or  any  preference  be  given  by  law  to  any  religious  establishments,  or 


280  CONSTITUTION. 

modes  of  ivorship.   Nor  shall  any  money  be  drawn  from  the  treasury  for  the  benefit 
of  religious  societies,  or  religious  or  theological'  seminaries. 

19.  No  religious  tests  shall  ever  be  required  as  a  qualification  for  any  office  of  pub- 
lic trust,  under  the  State;  and  no  person  shall  be  rendered  incompetent  to  give 
evidence  in  any  court  of  law  or  equity,  in  consequence  of  his  opinions  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion. 

20.  The  military  shall  be  in  strict  subordination  to  the  civil  power. 

21.  Writs  of  error  shall  never  be  prohibited  by  law. 

22.  The  blessings  of  a  free  government  can  only  be  maintained  by  a  firm  adhe- 
rence to  justice,  moderation,  temperance,  frugality,  and  virtue,  and  by  frequent 
recurrence  to  fundamental  principles. 

ARTICLE   II. 

BOUNDARIES. 

Section  1.  It  is  hereby  ordained  and  declared  that  the  State  of  'Wisconsin  doth 
consent  and  accept  of  the  boundaries  prescribed  in  the  act  of  Congress  entitled  "An 
Act  to  enable  the  people  of  Wisconsin  Territory  to  form  a  Constitution  and  State 
government,  and  for  the  admission  of  such  State  into  the  Union,"  approved  August 
sixth,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six,  to  wit:  Beginning  at  the  north-east 
corner  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  that  is  to  say,  at  a  point  in  the  centre  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan, where  the  line  of  forty-two  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  of  north  latitude  crosses 
the  same;  thence,  running  with  the  boundary  line  of  the  State  of  Michigan,  through 
Lake  Michigan,  Green  Bay,  to  the  mouth  of  Menomonee  river ;  thence  up  the  chan- 
nel of  the  said  river  to  the  Brule  river;  thenoe  up  said  last-mentioned  river  to  Lake 
Brule;  thence  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Brule,  in  a  direct  line  to  the  centre 
of  the  channel  between  Middle  and  South  island,  in  the  Lake  of  the  Desert;  thence 
in  a  direct  line  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Montreal  river,  as  marked  upon  the  sur- 
vey made  by  Captain  Cram;  thence  down  the  main  channel  of  the  Montreal  river 
to  the  middle  of  Lake  Superior;  thence  through  the  centre  of  Lake  Superior  to  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Louis  river;  thence  up  the  main  channel  of  said  river,  to  the  first 
rapids  in  the  same,  above  the  Indian  village,  according  to  Nicollet's  map ;  thence 
due  south  to  the  main  branch  of  the  river  St.  Croix ;  thence  down  the  main  channel 
of  said  river  to  the  Mississippi;  thence  down  the  centre  of  the  main  channel  of  that 
river  to  the  north-west  corner  of  the  State  of  Illinois;  thence  due  east  with  the 
northern  boundary  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  the  place  of  beginning,  as  established 
by  "An  Act  to  enable  the  people  of  the  Illinois  territory  to  form  a  Constitution  and 
State  government,  and  for  the  admission  of  such  State  into  the  Union  on  an  equal 
footing  with  the  original  States,"  approved  April  eighteenth,  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eighteen.  Provided,  however,  That  the  following  alteration  of  the 
aforesaid  boundary  be,  and  hereby  is,  proposed  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
as  the  preference  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin ;  and  if  the  same  shall  be  assented  and 
agreed  to  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  then  the  same  shall  be  and  forever 
remain  obligatory  on  the  State  of  Wisconsiu,  viz. :  Leaving  the  aforesaid  boundary 
line  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids  of  St.  Louis  river;  thence  in  a  direct  line,  bearing 
south-westerly  to  the  mouth  of  the  Iskodewabo,  or  Hum  river,  where  the  same 
empties  into  the  Mississippi  river;  thence  down  the  main  channel  of  the  said  Mis- 
sippi  river,  as  prescribed  in  the  aforesaid  houndary. 

2.  The  propositions  contained  in  the  Act  of  Congress  are  hereby  accepted,  ratified 
and  confirmed,  and  shall  remain  irrevocable  without  the  consent  of  the  United 
States;  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  that  this  State  shall  never  interfere  with  the  pri- 


CONSTITUTION.  281 

mary  disposal  of  the  soil  within  the  same  hy  the  United  States,  nor  with  any  regu- 
lations Congress  may  find  necessary  for  securing  the  title  in  such  soil  to  bona  fiide 
purchasers  thereof;  and  no  tax  shall  be  imposed  on  land,  the  property  of  the  United 
States ;  and  in  no  case  shall  non-resident  proprietors  be  taxed  higher  than  residents. 
Provided,  That  nothing  in  this  Constitution,  or  in  the  Act  of  Congress  aforesaid, 
shall  in  any  manner  prejudice  or  affect  the  right  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin  to  five 
hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  said  State,  and  to  be  hereafter  selected 
and  located,  by,  and  under  the  Act  of  Congress,  entitled  "An  Act  to  appropriate  the 
proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public  lands,  and  grant  preemption  rights',"  approved 
September  fourth,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-one. 

ARTICLE    III. 

SUFFRAGE. 

Section  1.  Every  male  person,  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  or  upwards,  belong- 
ing to  either  of  the  following  classes,  who  shall  have  resided  in  the  State  for  one 
year  next  preceding  any  election,  shall  bo  deemed  a  qualified  elector  at  such  election : 

First.  White  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

Second.  White  persons,  of  foreign  birth,  who  shall  have  declared  their  intention 
to  become  citizens,  conformably  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States  on  the  subject  of 
naturalization. 

Third.  Persons  of  Indian  blood,  who  have  once  been  declared,  by  law  of  Congress, 
to  be  citizens  of  the  United  States,  any  subsequent  law  of  Congress  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding. 

Fourth.  Civilized  persons  of  Indian  descent,  not  members  of  any  tribe.  Provided, 
That  the  Legislature  may  at  any  time  extend,  by  law,  the  right  of  suffrage  to  per- 
sons not  herein  enumerated;  but  no  such  law  shall  be  in  force  until  the  same  shall 
have  been  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  at  a  general  election,  and  approved  by 
a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  at  such  election. 

2.  No  person  under  guardianship,  non  compos  mentis,  or  insane,  shall  be  quali- 
fied to  vote  at  any  election;  nor  shall  any  person  con-victed  of  treason  or  felony  be 
qualified  to  vote  at  any  election,  unless  restored  to  civil  rights. 

3.  All  votes  shall  be  given  by  ballot,  except  for  such  township  officers  as  may,  hy 
law,  be  directed  or  allowed  to  be  otherwise  chosen. 

4.  No  person  shall  be  deemed  to  have  lost  his  residence  in  this  State  by  reason  of 
his  absence  on  business  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  State. 

5.  No  soldier,  seaman,  or  marine,  in  the  army  or  navy  of  the  United  States,  shall 
he  deemed  a  resident  of  this  State  in  consequence  of  being  stationed  within  the 
same. 

6.  Laws  may  be  passed  excluding  from  the  right  of  suffrage  all  persons  who  have 
been,  or  may  be,  convicted  of  bribery  or  larceny,  or  of  any  infamous  crime;  and  de- 
priving every  person  who  shall  make,  or  become  directly  or  indirectly  interested  In 
any  bet  or  wager  depending  upon  the  result  of  any  election,  from  the  right  to  vote 
at  such  election. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

LEGISLATIVE. 

Section  1.  The  legislative  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  Senate  and  Assembly. 

2.  The  numberof  the  members  of  the  Assembly  shall  never  be  less  than  fifty-four, 
nor  more  than  one  hundred.  The  Senate  shall  consist  of  a  number  not  more  than 
one-third,  nor  less  than  oue-lburth  of  the  number  of  the  members  of  the  Assembly. 
24"* 


2S2  CONSTITUTION. 

3.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  by  law  for  an  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  State,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-five,  and  at  the  end 
of  every  ten  years  thereafter ;  and  at  their  first  session  after  such  enumeration,  and 
also  after  each  enumeration  made  by  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  the  Legis- 
lature shall  apportion  and  district  anew  the  members  of  the  Senate  and  Assembly, 
according  to  the  number  of  inhabitants,  excluding  Indians  not  taxed,  and  soldiers 
and  officers  of  the  United  States  army  and  navy. 

4.  The  members  of  the  Assembly  shall  be  chosen  annually  by  single  districts,  on 
the  Tuesday  succeeding  the  first  Monday  of  November,  by  the  qualified  electors  of 
the  several  districts ;  such  districts  to  be  bounded  by  county,  precinct,  town,  or 
ward  lines,  to  consist  of  contiguous  territory,  and  be  in  as  compact  form  as  practi- 
cable. 

5.  The  Senators  shall  be  chosen  by  single  districts  of  convenient  contiguous  ter- 
ritory, at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  manner  as  members  of  the  Assembly  are 
required  to  be  chosen;  and  no  Assembly  district  shall  be  divided  in  the  formation 
of  a  Senate  district.  The  Senate  districts  shall  be  numbered  in  regular  series,  and 
the  Senators  chosen  by  the  odd-numbered  districts  shall  go  out  of  office  at  the  expi- 
ration of  the  first  year,  and  the  Senators  chosen  by  the  even-numbered  districts 
shall  go  out  of  office  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year,  and  thereafter  the  Sena- 
tors shall  be  chosen  for  the  term  of  two  years. 

6.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  Legislature  who  shall  not  have  resided  one 
year  within  the  State,  and  be  a  qualified  elector  in  the  district  which  he  may  be 
chosen  to  represent. 

7.  Each  House  shall  be  the  judge  of  the  elections,  returns,  and  qualifications  of 
its  own  members,  and  a  majority  of  each  shall  constitute  a  quorum  to  do  business; 
but  a  smaller  number  may  adjourn  from  day  to  day,  and  may  compel  the  attend- 
ance of  absent  members  in  such  manner,  and  under  such  penalties,  as  each  House 
may  provide. 

8.  Each  House  may  determine  the  rules  of  its  own  proceedings,  punish  for  con- 
tempt and  disorderly  behavior,  and,  with  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  all  the 
members  elected,  expel  a  member;  but  no  member  shall  be  expelled  a  second  time 
for  the  same  cause. 

9.  Each  House  shall  choose  its  own  officers,  and  the  Senate  shall  choose  a  tempo- 
rary President,  when  the  Lieutenaut-Governor  shall  not  attend  as  President,  or 
shall  act  as  Governor. 

10.  Each  House  shall  keep  a  journal  of  its  proceedings,  and  publish  the  same,  ex- 
cept such  parts  as  require  secresy.  The  doors  of  each  House  shall  be  kept  open, 
except  when  the  public  welfare  shall  require  secresy.  Neither  House  shall,  without 
consent  of  the  other,  adjourn  for  more  than  three  days. 

11.  The  Legislature  shall  meet  at  the  seat  of  government,  at  such  time  as  shall 
be  provided  by  law,  once  in  each  year,  and  not  oftcner,  unless  convened  by  the 
Governor. 

12.  No  member  of  the  Legislature  shall,  during  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected, 
be  appointed  or  elected  to  any  civil  office  in  the  State,  which  shall  have  been  created, 
or  the  emoluments  of  which  shall  have  been  increased  during  the  term  for  which 
he  was  elected. 

13.  No  person  being  a  member  of  Congress,  or  holding  any  military  or  civil  office 
under  the  United  States,  shall  be  eligible  to  a  seat  in  the  Legislature ;  and  if  any 
person  shall,  after  his  election  as  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  be  elected  to  Con- 
gress, or  be  appointed  to  any  office,  civil  or  military,  under  the  Government  of  thi 
United  States,  his  acceptance  thereof  shall  vacate  his  seat. 


CONSTITUTION.  2^3 

14.  The  fiovernor  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  fill  such  vacancies  as  may  occur 
in  either  House  of  the  Legislature. 

15.  Members  of  the  [legislature  shall,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony,  and 
breach  of  the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest;  nor  shall  they  be  Bubject  to  any  civil 
process  during  the  session  of  the  Legislature,  nor  for  fifteen  days  next  before  the 
commencement,  and  after  the  termination  of  each  session. 

16.  No  member  of  the  Legislature  shall  be  liable,  in  any  civil  action  or  criminal 
prosecution  whatever,  for  words  spoken  iu  debate. 

17.  The  style  of  the  laws  of  the  State  shall  be,  "The  people  of  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin represented  iu  Senate  and  Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows  :"  and  no  law  shall 
bo  enacted  except  by  bill. 

IS.  No  private  or  local  bill,  which  maybe  passed  by  the  Legislature,  shall  embrace 
more  than  one  subject,  and  that  shall  be  expressed  in  the  title. 

19.  Any  bill  may  originate  in  either  House  of  the  Legislature,  and  a  bill  passed 
by  one  House  may  be  amended  by  the  other. 

20.  The  yeas  and  nays  of  the  members  of  either  House,  on  any  question,  shall,  at 
the  request  of  one-sixth  of  those  present,  be  entered  on  the  journal. 

21.  Each  member  of  the  Legislature  shall  receive  for  his  services,  two  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  for  each  day's  attendance  during  the  session,  and  ten  cents  for  every  mile 
he  shall  travel  in  going  to  and  returning  from  the  place  of  the  meeting  of  the  Legis- 
lature, on  the  most  usual  route. 

22.  The  Legislature  may  confer  upon  the  boards  of  supervisors  of  the  several 
Bounties  of  the  State,  such  powers  of  a  local,  legislative,  and  administrative  charac- 
ter as  they  shall  from  time  to  time  prescribe. 

23.  The  Legislature  shall  establish  but  one  system  of  town  and  county  govern- 
ment, which  shall  be  as  nearly  uniform  as  practicable. 

24.  The  Legislature  shall  never  authorise  any  lottery,  or  grant  any  divorce. 

25.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  by  law  that  all  stationery  required  for  the  use 
of  the  State,  and  all  printing  authorised  and  required  by  them  to  be  done  for  their 
use,  or  for  the  State,  shall  be  let  by  contract  to  the  lowest  bidder;  but  the  Legisla- 
ture may  establish  a  maximum  price.  No  member  of  the  Legislature,  or  other  State 
officer,  shall  be  interested,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  in  any  such  contract. 

26.  The  Legislature  shall  never  grant  any  extra  compensation  to  any  public  offi- 
cer, agent,  servant,  or  contractor,  after  the  services  shall  have  been  rendered  or  the 
contract  entered  into.  Nor  shall  the  compensation  of  any  public  officer  be  increased 
or  diminished  during  his  term  of  office. 

27.  The  Legislature  shall  direct  by  law  in  what  manner,  and  in  what  courts,  suits 
may  be  brought  against  the  State. 

28.  Members  of  the  Legislature,  and  all  officers,  executive  and  judicial,  except 
such  inferior  officers  as  may  be  by  law  exempted,  shall,  before  they  enter  upon  the 
duties  of  their  respective  offices,  take  and  subscribe  an  oath  or  affirmation  to  support 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin, and  faithfully  to  discharge  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices  to  the  best  of 
their  ability. 

29.  The  Legislature  shall  determine  what  persons  shall  constitute  the  militia  of 
the  State  and  may  provide  for  organizing  and  disciplining  the  same,  in  such  man- 
ner as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

30.  In  all  elections  to  be  made  by  the  Legislature,  the  members  thereof  shall  vote 
viva  voce,  and  their  votes  shall  be  entered  on  the  journal. 


284  CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE    V. 

EXECUTIVE. 

Section  1.  The  executive  power  shall  he  vested  in  a  Governor,  wko  shall  hold  his 
office  for  two  years.  A  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  be  elected  at  the  same  time,  and 
for  the  same  term. 

2.  No  person,  except  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  a  qualified  elector  of  the 
State,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  Governor,  or  Lieutenant-Governor. 

3.  The  Governor  and  LieutenantGoveruor  shall  be  elected  by  the  qualified  elec- 
tors of  the  State,  at  the  times  and  places  of  choosing  members  of  the  Legislature. 
The  persous  respectively  having  the  highest  number  of  votes  for  Governor  and  Lieu- 
tenant Governor,  shall  he  elected.  But  in  case  two  or  more  shall  have  an  equal 
and  the  highest  number  of  votes  for  Governor  or  Lieutenant-Governor,  the  two 
Houses  of  the  Legislature,  at  its  next  annual  session,  shall  forthwith,  by  joint 
ballot,  choose  one  of  the  persons  so  having  an  equal  and  the  highest  number  of 
votes  for  Governor  or  LieutenantrGovernor.  The  returns  of  election  for  Gover- 
nor and  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  be  made  in  such  manner  as  shall  he  provided 
by  law. 

4.  The  Governor  shall  be  Commander-in-chief  of  the  military  and  naval  forces  of 
the  State.  He  shall  have  power  to  convene  the  Legislature  on  extraordinary  occa- 
sions; and  in  case  of  invasion,  or  danger  from  the  prevalence  of  contagious  disease 
at  the  seat  of  government,  he  may  convene  them  at  any  other  suitable  place  within 
the  State.  He  shall  communicate  to  the  Legislature,  at  every  session,  the  condition 
of  the  State,  and  recommend  such  matters  to  them  for  their  consideration,  as  he 
may  deem  expedient.  He  shall  transact  all  necessary  business  with  the  officers  of 
the  Government,  civil  and  military.  He  shall  expedite  all  such  measures  as  may 
he  resolved  upon  by  the  Legislature,  and  shall  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully 
executed. 

5.  The  Governor  shall  receive,  during  his  continuance  in  office,  an  annual  com- 
pensation of  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

6.  The  Governor  shall  have  power  to  grant  reprieves,  commutations,  and  pardons, 
after  conviction,  for  all  offences  except  treason  aud  cases  of  impeachment,  upon  such 
conditions  and  with  suoh  restrictions  and  limitations  as  he  may  think  proper,  sub- 
ject to  such  regulations  as  may  be  provided  by  law  relative  to  the  manner  of  apply- 
ing for  pardons.  Upon  conviction  for  treason,  he  shall  have  the  power  to  suspend 
the  execution  of  the  sentence  until  the  case  shall  be  reported  to  the  Legislature  at 
its  next  meeting,  when  the  Legislature  shall  either  pardon,  or  commute  the  sen- 
tence, direct  the  execution  of  the  sentence,  or  grant  a  further  reprieve.  He  shall 
annually  communicate  to  the  Legislature  each  case  of  reprieve,  commutation,  or 
pardon  granted,  stating  the  name  of  the  convict,  the  crime  of  which  he  was  con- 
victed, the  sentence  and  its  date,  and  the  date  of  the  commutation,  pardon,  or  re- 
prieve, with  his  reasons  for  granting  the  same. 

7.  In  case  of  the  impeachment  of  the  Governor,  or  his  removal  from  office,  death, 
inability  from  mental  or  pbysical  disease,  resignation,  or  absence  from  the  State,  tho 
powers  and  duties  of  the  office  shall  devolve  upon  the  Lieutenant-Governor,  for  tho 
residueof  the  term,  or  until  the  Governor,  absent  or  impeached,  shall  have  returned, 
or  the  disability  shall  cease.  But  when  the  Governor  shall,  with  the  consent  of 
the  Legislature,  be  out  of  the  State  in  time  of  war,  at  the  head  of  the  military 
force  thereof,  he  shall  continue  Commander-in-chief  of  the  military  force  of  the 
State. 


CONSTITUTION.  285 

8.  The  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  be  President  of  the  Senate,  but  shall  have  only 
a  casting  vote  therein.  If,  during  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  Governor,  the  Lieute- 
nant-Governor shall  be  impeached,  displaced,  resign,  die,  or  from  mental  or  physi- 
cal disease  become  incapable  of  performing  the  duties  of  his  office,  or  be  absent  from 
the  State,  the  Secretary  of  State  shall  act  as  Governor  until  the  vacancy  shall  be 
filled,  or  the  disability  shall  cease. 

9.  The  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  receive  double  the  per  diem  allowance  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Senate,  for  every  day's  attendance  as  President  of  the  Senate,  and  the 
same  mileage  as  shall  be  allowed  to  members  of  the  Legislature. 

10.  Every  bill  which  shall  have  passed  the  Legislature  shall,  before  it  becomes  a 
law,  be  presented  to  the  Governor.  If  he  approve,  he  shall  sign  it;  but  if  not,  he 
shall  return  it,  with  his  objections,  to  that  House  in  which  it  shall  have  originated, 
who  shall  enter  the  objections  at  large  upon  the  journal,  and  proceed  to  reconsider 
it.  If,  after  such  reconsideration,  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  shall  agree  to 
pass  the  bill,  it  shall  be  sent,  together  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  House,  by 
which  it  shall  likewise  be  reconsidered,  and  if  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers present,  it  shall  become  a  law.  But  in  all  such  cases,  the  votes  of  both  Houses 
shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  nays,  and  the  names  of  the  members  voting  for 
or  against  the  bill  shall  be  entered  on  the  journal  of  each  House  respectively.  If 
any  bill  shall  not  be  returned  by  the  Governor  within  three  days  (Sundays  ex- 
cepted) after  it  shall  have  been  presented  to  him,  the  same  shall  be  a  law,  unless 
the  Legislature  shall,  by  their  adjournment,  prevent  its  return;  in  which  case  it 
shall  not  be  a  law. 

ARTICLE    VI 

ADMINISTRATIVE. 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  chosen,  by  the  qualified  electors  of  the  State,  at  tho 
times  and  places  of  choosing  the  members  of  the  Legislature,  a  Secretary  of  State, 
Treasurer,  and  an  Attorney-General,  who  shall  severally  hold  their  offices  for  the 
term  of  two  years. 

2.  The  Secretary  of  State  shall  keep  a  fair  record  of  the  official  acts  of  the  Legisla- 
ture and  Executive  Department  of  the  State,  and  shall,  when  required,  lay  the  same 
and  all  matters  relative  thereto,  before  either  branch  of  the  Legislature.  He  shall 
be  ex  officio  auditor,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall  be  assigned  him 
by  law.  He  shall  receive,  as  a  compensation  for  his  services,  yearly,  such  sum  as 
shall  be  provided  by  law,  and  shall  keep  his  office  at  the  seat  of  government. 

3.  The  powers,  duties,  and  compensation  of  the  Treasurer  and  Attorney-General 
shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

4.  Sheriffs,  coroners,  registers  of  deeds,  and  district  attorneys  shall  be  chosen  by 
the  electors  of  the  respective  counties,  once  in  every  two  years,  and  as  often  as  va- 
cancies shall  happen.  Sheriffs  shall  hold  no  other  office,  and  be  ineligible  for  two 
years  next  succeeding  the  termination  of  their  offices.  They  may  be  required  by 
law  to  reuew  their  security  from  time  to  time;  and  in  default  of  giving  such  new 
security,  their  offices  shall  be  deemed  vacant.  But  the  county  shrill  never  be  made 
responsible  for  the  acts  of  the  sheriff.  The  Governor  may  remove  any  officer  in  this 
section  mentioned,  giving  to  such  officer  a  copy  of  tho  charges  against  him,  and  an 
Opportunity  of  being  heard  in  his  defence. 


286  CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE   VII. 

JUDICIARY. 

Section  1.  The  court  for  the  trial  of  impeachments  shall  be  composed  of  the  Senate. 
The  House  of  Representatives  shall  have  the  power  of  impeaching  all  civil  officers  of 
this  State,  for  corrupt  conduct  in  office,  or  for  crimes  and  misdemeanors;  but  a  majo- 
rity of  all  the  members  elected  shall  concur  in  an  impeachment.  On  the  trial  of  an 
impeachment  against  the  Governor,  the  Lieutenant-Governor  shall  not  act  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  court.  No  judicial  officer  shall  exercise  his  office  after  he  shall  have  been 
impeached,  until  his  acquittal.  Before  the  trial  of  an  impeachment,  the;  members 
of  the  court  shall  take  an  oath  or  affirmation  truly  and  impartially  to  try  the  im- 
peachment, according  to  evidence;  and  no  person  shall  be  convicted  without  the 
concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present.  Judgment  in  cases  of  impeach- 
ment shall  not  extend  further  than  to  removal  from  office,  or  removal  from  office 
and  disqualification  to  hold  any  office  of  honor,  profit,  or  trust,  under  the  State; 
lut  the  party  impeached  shall  be  liable  to  indictment,  trial,  and  punishment,  ac- 
cording to  law. 

2.  The  judicial  power  of  this  State,  both  as  to  matters  of  law  and  equity,  shall  be 
vested  in  a  Supreme  Court,  Circuit  Courts,  Courts  of  Probate,  and  Justices  of  the 
Peace.  The  Legislature  may  also  vest  such  jurisdiction  as  shall  be  deemed  neces- 
sary in  municipal  courts,  and  shall  have  power  to  establish  inferior  courts  in  the 
several  counties,  with  limited  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction.  Provided,  That  the 
jurisdiction  which  may  be  vested  in  municipal  courts  shall  not  exceed,  in  thsir  re- 
spective municipalities,  that  of  Circuit  Courts,  in  their  respective  circuits,  as  pre- 
scribed in  this  Constitution:  and  that  the  Legislature  shall  provide  as  well  for  the 
election  of  judges  of  the  municipal  courts  as  of  the  judges  of  inferior  courts,  by  the 
qualified  electors  of  the  respective  jurisdictions.  The  term  of  office  of  the  judges  of 
the  said  municipal  and  inferior  courts  shall  not  be  longer  than  that  of  the  judges 
of  the  Circuit  Court. 

3.  The  Supreme  Court,  except  in  cases  otherwise  provided  in  this  Constitution, 
shall  have  appellate  jurisdiction  only,  which  shall  be  coextensive  with  the  State; 
but  in  no  case  removed  to  the  Supreme  Court,  shall  a  trial  by  jury  be  allowed.  The 
Supreme  Court  shall  have  a  general  superintending  control  over  all  inferior  courts; 
it  shall  have  power  to  issue  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  mandamus,  injunction,  quo  war- 
ranto, certiorari,  and  other  original  and  remedial  writs,  and  to  hear  and  determine 
the  same. 

4.  For  the  term  of  five  years,  and  thereafter  until  the  Legislature  shall  otherwise 
provide,  the  judges  of  the  several  Circuit  Courts  shall  be  judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  four  of  whom  shall  constitute  a  quorum,  and  the  concurrence  of  a  majority 
of  the  judges  present  shall  be  necessary  to  a  decision.  The  Legislature  shall  have 
power,  if  they  should  think  it  expedient  and  necessary,  to  provide  by  law  for  the 
organization  of  a  separate  Supreme  Court,  with  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  pre- 
scribed in  this  Constitution,  to  consist  of  one  chief  justice  and  two  associate  justices, 
to  be  elected  by  the  qualified  electors  of  the  State,  at  such  time  and  in  such  manner 
as  the  Legislature  may  provide.  The  separate  Supreme  Court,  when  so  organized, 
shall  not  be  changed  or  discontinued  by  the  Legislature;  the  judges  thereof  shall 
be  so  classified  that  but  one  of  them  shall  go  out  of  office  at  the  same  time;  and 
their  term  of  office  shall  be  the  same  as  is  provided  for  the  judges  of  the  Circuit 
Court.  And  whenever  the  Legislature  may  consider  it  necossary  to  establish  a  sepa- 
rate Supreme  Court,  they  shall  have  power  to  reduce  the  number  of  Circuit  Court 


CONSTITUTION.  287 

judges  to  four,  and  subdivide  the  judicial  circuits;  but  no  such  subdivision  or  re- 
duction shall  take  effect  until  after  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  some  one  of  the 
said  judges,  or  till  a  vacancy  occur  by  some  other  means. 

5.  The  State  shall  be  divided  into  five  judicial  circuits,  to  be  composed  as  follows: 
The  first  circuit  shall  comprise  the  counties  of  Racine,  Walworth,  Rock,  and  Green. 
The  second  circuit,  the  counties  of  Milwaukee,  Waukesha,  Jefferson,  and  Dane.  The 
third  circuit,  the  counties  of  Washington,  Dodge,  Columbia,  Marquette,  Sauk,  and 
Portage.  The  fourth  circuit,  the  counties  of  Brown,  Manitowoc,  Sheboygan,  Fond 
du  Lac,  Winnebago,  and  Calumet.  And  the  fifth  circuit  shall  comprise  the  coun- 
ties of  Iowa,  La  Fayette,  Grant,  Crawford,  and  St. Croix;  and  the  county  of  Rich- 
land shall  be  attached  to  Iowa,  the  county  of  Chippewa  to  the  county  of  Crawford, 
and  the  county  of  La  Pointe  to  the  county  of  St.  Croix,  for  judicial  purposes,  until 
otherwise  provided  by  the  Legislature. 

6.  The  Legislature  may  alter  the  limits,  or  increase  the  number  of  circuits,  making 
them  as  compact  and  convenient  as  practicable,  and  bounding  them  by  county 
lines;  but  no-  such  alteration  or  increase  shall  have  the  effect  to  remove  a  judge 
from  office.  In  case  of  an  increase  of  circuits,  the  judge  or  judges  shall  be  elected  as 
provided  in  this  Constitution,  and  receive  a  salary  not  less  than  that  herein  pro- 
vided forjudges  of  the  Circuit  Court. 

7.  For  each  circuit  there  shall  Iw  a  judge  chosen  by  the  qualified  electors  therein, 
who  shall  hold  his  office  as  is  provided  in  this  Constitution,  and  until  his  successor 
shall  be  chosen  and  qualified ;  and  after  he  shall  have  been  elected,  he  shall  reside 
in  the  circuit  for  which  he  was  elected.  One  of  said  judges  shall  be  designated  as 
chief  justice,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  shall  provide.  And  the  Legisla- 
ture shall,  at  its  first  session,  provide  by  law,  as  well  for  the  election  of,  as  for  clas- 
sifying the  judges  of  the  Circuit  Court,  to  be  elected  under  this  Constitution,  in 
such  manner  that  one  of  said  judges  shall  go  out  of  office  in  two  years,  one  in  three 
years,  one  in  four  years,  one  in  five  years,  and  one  in  six  years;  and  thereafter  the 
judge  elected  to  fill  the  office  shall  hold  the  same  for  six  years. 

8.  The  Circuit  Courts  shall  have  original  jurisdiction  in  all  matters,  civil  and 
criminal,  within  this  State,  not  excepted  in  this  Constitution,  and  not  hereafter  pro- 
hibited by  law,  an  appellate  jurisdiction  from  all  inferior  courts  and  tribunals,  and 
a  supervisory  control  over  the  same.  They  shall  also  have  the  power  to  issue  writs 
of  habeas  corpus,  mandamus,  injunction,  quo  warranto,  certiorari,  and  all  other 
writs  necessary  to  carry  into  effect  their  orders,  judgments,  and  decrees,  and  give 
them  a  general  control  over  inferior  courts  and  jurisdictions. 

9.  When  a  vacancy  shall  happen  in  the  office  of  judge  of  the  Supreme  or  Circuit 
Courts,  such  vacancy  shall  be  filled  by  an  appointment  of  the  Governor,  which  shall 
continue  until  a  successor  is  elected  and  qualified ;  and  when  elected,  such  successor 
shall  hold  his  office  the  residue  of  the  unexpired  term.  There  shall  be  no  election 
for  a  judge  or  judges  at  any  general  election  for  State  or  county  officers,  nor  within 
thirty  days  either  before  or  after  such  election. 

10.  Each  of  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  and  Circuit  Courts  shall  receive  a  salary, 
payable  quarterly,  of  not  less  than  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  annually ; 
they  shall  receive  no  fees  of  office,  or  other  compensation  than  their  salaries;  they 
shall  hold  no  office  of  public  trust,  except  a  judicial  office,  during  the  term  for  which 
they  are  respectively  elected;  and  all  votes  for  either  of  them,  for  any  office  except  a 
judicial  office,  given  by  the  Legislature  or  the  people,  shall  be  void.  No  person  shall 
be  eligible  to  the  office  of  judge,  who  shall  not,  at  the  time  of  his  election,  be  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States,  and  have  attained  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  and  be  a  quali- 
fied elector  within  the  jurisdiction  for  which  he  may  be  chosen. 


CONSTITUTION. 

..  The  Supreme  Court  shall  hold  at  least  one  term  annually,  at  the  seat  of  gov- 

iment  of  the  State,  at  such  time  as  shall  be  provided  by  law ;  and  the  Legislature 

lay  provide  for  holding  other  terms,  and  at  other  places,  when  they  may  deem  it 

necessary.     A  Circuit  Court  shall  be  held  at  least  twice  in  each  year, in  each  county 

of  this  State,  organized  for  judicial  purposes.    The  judges  of  the  Circuit  Court  may 

hold  courts  for  each  other,  and  shall  do  so  when  required  by  law. 

12.  There  shall  be  a  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  chosen  in  each  county  organized 
for  judicial  purposes,  by  the  qualified  electors  thereof,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for 
two  years,  subject  to  removal  as  shall  be  provided  by  law.  In  case  of  a  vacancy,  the 
judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  shall  have  the  power  to  appoint  a  clerk,  until  the  va- 
cancy shall  be  filled  by  an  election.  The  clerk  thus  elected  or  appointed,  shall  give 
such  security  as  the  Legislature  may  require ;  and  when  elected,  shall  hold  his  office 
for  a  full  term.  The  Supreme  Court  shall  appoint  its  own  clerk;  and  the  clerk  of 
a  Circuit  Court  may  he  appointed  clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

13.  Any  judge  of  the  Supreme  or  Circuit  Court  may  be  removed  from  office  by 
address  of  both  Houses  of  the  Legislature,  if  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected 
to  each  House  concur  therein;  but  no  removal  shall  be  made  by  virtue  of  this  sec- 
tion, unless  the  judge  complained  of  shall  have  been  served  with  a  copy  of  the 
charges  against  him,  as  the  ground  of  address,  and  shall  have  had  an  opportunity 
of  being  heard  in  his  defence.  On  the  question  of  removal,  the  ayes  and  noes  shall 
be  entered  on  the  journals. 

14.  There  shall  be  chosen  in  each  county,  by  the  qualified  electors  thereof,  a  judge 
of  probate,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  two  years,  and  until  his  successor  shall  be 
elected  and  qualified,  and  whose  jurisdiction,  powers  and  duties  shall  be  prescribed 
by  law :  Provided,  however,  That  the  Legislature  shall  have  power  to  abolish  the 
office  of  judge  of  probate  in  any  county,  and  to  confer  probate  powers  upon  such 
inferior  courts  as  may  be  established  in  said  county. 

15.  The  electors  of  the  several  towns,  at  their  annual  town  meetings,  and  the 
electors  of  cities  and  villages,  at  their  charter  elections,  shall,  in  such  manner  as  the 
Legislature  may  direct,  elect  justices  of  the  peace,  whose  term  of  office  shall  be  for 
two  years,  and  until  their  successors  in  office  shall  be  elected  and  qualified.  In 
case  of  an  election  to  fill  a  vacancy  occurring  before  the  expiration  of  a  full  term, 
the  justice  elected  shall  hold  for  the  residue  of  the  unexpired  term.  Their  number 
and  classification  shall  be  regulated  by  law.  And  the  tenure  of  two  years  shall  in 
no  wise  interfere  with  the  classification  in  the  first  instance.  The  justices  thus 
elected  shall  have  such  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  as  6hall  be  prescribed  by 
law. 

16.  The  Legislature  shall  pass  laws  for  the  regulation  of  tribunals  of  conciliation, 
defining  their  powers  and  duties.  Such  tribunals  may  be  established  in  and  for 
any  township,  and  shall  have  power  to  render  judgment,  to  be  obligatory  on  the 
parties,  when  they  shall  voluntarily  submit  their  matter  in  difference  to  arbitra- 
tion, and  agree  to  abide  the  judgment,  or  assent  thereto  in  writing. 

17.  The  style  of  all  writs  and  process  shall  be,  "The  State  of  Wisconsin."  All 
criminal  prosecutions  shall  be  carried  on  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
same;  and  all  indictments  shall  conclude  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the 
State. 

18.  The  Legislature  shall  impose  a  tax  on  all  civil  suits  commenced  or  prosecuted 
in  the  municipal,  inferior,  or  Circuit  Courts,  which  shall  constitute  a  funl  to  be 
applied  toward  the  payment  of  the  salary  of  judges. 

19.  The  testimony  in  causes  in  equity  shall  be  taken  in  like  manner  as  in  cases  at 
law ;  and  the  office  of  master  in  chancery  is  hereby  prohibited. 


CONSTITUTION.  289 

20.  Any  suitor  in  any  court  of  this  State  shall  have  the  right  to  prosecute  or  de- 
fend his  suit  either  ia  his  own  proper  person,  or  by  an  attorney  or  agent  of  his 
choice. 

21.  Tho  Legislature  shall  provide  by  law  for  the  speedy  publication  of  all  statute 
laws,  and  of  such  judicial  decisions  made  within  the  Slate,  as  may  be  deemed  expe- 
dient.    And  no  general  law  shall  be  in  force  until  published. 

2J.  The  Legislature,  at  its  first  session  after  the  adoption  of  this  Constitution, 
shall  provide  for  the  appointment  of  three  commissioners,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
Inquire  into,  revise  and  simplify  the  rules  of  practice,  pleadings,  forms,  and  proceed- 
ings, and  arrange  a  system  adapted  to  the  courts  of  record  of  this  State,  aud  report 
the  same  to  the  Legislature,  subject  to  their  modification  and  adoption;  and  such 
commission  shall  terminate  upon  the  rendering  of  the  report,  unless  otherwise  pro- 
vided by  law. 

23.  The  Legislature  may  provide  for  the  appointment  of  one  or  more  persons  ia 
each  organized  county,  and  may  vest  in  such  persons  such  judicial  powers  as  shall 
be  prescribed  by  law  :  Providud,  That  said  power  shall  not  exceed  that  of  a  judge  of 
the  Circuit  Court  at  Chambers. 

ARTICLE    VIII. 


Section  1.  The  rule  of  taxation  shall  be  uniform,  and  taxes  shall  be  levied  upon 
such  property  as  the  Legislature  shall  prescribe. 

2.  No  money  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury,  except  in  pursuance  of  an  appro- 
priation by  law. 

3.  The  credit  of  the  State  shall  never  be  given  or  loaned  in  aid  of  any  individual, 
association,  or  corporation. 

4.  The  State  shall  never  contract  any  public  debt,  except  in  the  cases  and  manner 
herein  provided. 

5.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  for  an  annual  tax  sufficient  to  defray  the  esti- 
mated expenses  of  the  State  for  each  year;  and  whenever  the  expenses  of  any  year 
Bhall  exceed  the  income,  the  Legislature  shall  provide  for  levying  a  tax  for  the  ensu- 
ing year,  sufficient,  with  other  sources  of  income,  to  pay  the  deficiency,  as  well  as 
the  estimated  expenses  of  such  ensuing  year. 

6.  For  the  purpose  of  defraying  extraordinary  expenditures,  the  State  may  con- 
tract public  debts;  but  such  debts  shall  never,  in  the  aggregate,  exceed  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  Every  such  debt  shall  be  authorized  by  law,  for  some  pur- 
pose or  purposes  to  be  distinctly  specified  therein;  and  the  vote  of  a  majority  of  all 
the  members  elected  to  each  House,  to  be  taken  by  yeas  and  nays,  shall  be  Deees- 
sary  to  the  passage  of  such  law;  and  every  such  law  shall  provide  for  levying  an 
annual  tax  sufficient  to  pay  the  annual  interest  of  such  debt,  and  the  principal 
within  five  years  from  the  passage  of  such  law,  and  shall  specially  appropriate  the 
proceeds  of  such  taxes  to  the  payment  of  such  principal  and  interest;  and  such  ap- 
propriation shall  not  be  repealed,  nor  the  taxes  be  postponed  or  diminished,  until 
the  principal  and  interest  of  such  debt  shall  have  been  wholly  paid. 

7.  The  Legislature  may  also  borrow  money  to  repel  invasion,  suppress  insurrec- 
tion, or  defeud  the  State  in  time  of  war;  but  the  money  thus  raised  shall  be  applied 
exclusively  to  the  object  for  which  the  loan  was  authorized,  or  to  the  repayment  of 
the  debt  thereby  created. 

8.  On  the  passage,  in  either  House  of  the  Legislature,  of  any  law  which  imposes, 

25 


293  CONSTITUTION. 

continues,  or  renews  a  tax,  or  creates  a  debt  or  charge,  or  makes,  continues,  or  re- 
news an  appropriation  of  public  or  trust  money,  or  releases,  discharges,  or  com- 
mutes a  claim  or  demand  of  the  State,  the  question  shall  be  taken  by  yeas  and 
nays,  which  shall  be  duly  entered  on  the  journal ;  and  three-fifths  of  all  the  mem- 
bers elected  to  such  House  shall,  in  all  such  cases,  be  required  to  constitute  a  quo- 
rum therein. 

9.  No  scrip,  certificate,  or  other  evidence  of  State  debt  whatsoever,  shall  be  issued, 
except  for  such  debts  as  are  authorized  by  the  sixth  and  seventh  sections  of  this 
article. 

10.  The  State  shall  never  contract  any  debt  for  works  of  internal  improvement, 
or  be  a  party  in  canying  on  such  works;  but  whenever  grants  of  laud  or  other 
property  shall  have  been  made  to  the  State,  especially  dedicated  by  the  grant  to 
particular  works  of  internal  improvement,  the  State  may  carry  on  such  particular 
works,  and  shall  devote  thereto  the  avails  of  such  grants,  and  may  pledge  or  appro- 
priate the  revenues  derived  from  such  works  in  aid  of  their  completion. 

4RTICLE    IX. 

EMINENT  DOMAIN  AND  PROPERTY  OF  THE  STATE. 

Section  1.  The  State  shall  have  concurrent  jurisdiction  on  all  rivers  and  lakes 
bordering  on  this  State,  so  far  as  such  rivers  or  lakes  shall  form  a  common  boun- 
dary to  the  State,  and  any  other  State  or  Territory  now  or  hereafter  to  be  formed 
and  bounded  by  the  same.  And  the  river  Mississippi  and  the  navigable  waters  lead- 
ing into  the  Mississippi  and  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  carrying  places  between  the 
same,  shall  be  common  highways,  and  forever  free,  as  well  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
State,  as  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  without  any  tax,  impost,  or  duty 
therefor. 

2.  The  title  to  all  lands  and  other  property  which  have  accrued  to  the  Territory 
of  Wisconsin,  by  grant,  gift,  purchase,  forfeiture,  escheat,  or  otherwise,  shall  vest 
in  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 

3.  The  people  of  the  State,  in  their  right  of  sovereignty,  are  declared  to  possess 
the  ultimate  property  in  and  to  all  lands  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State;  and 
all  lands,  the  title  to  which  shall  fail  from  a  defect  of  heirs,  shall  revert  or  escheat 
to  the  people. 

ARTICLE    X. 

EDUCATION. 

Section  1.  The  supervision  of  public  instruction  shall  be  vested  in  a  State  Super- 
intendent, and  such  other  officers  as  the  Legislature  shall  direct.  The  State  Super- 
intendent shall  be  chosen  by  the  qualified  electors  of  the  State,  in  such  manner  as 
the  Legislature  shall  provide ;  his  powers,  duties,  and  compensation  shall  be  pre- 
scribed by  law.  Provided,  That  his  compensation  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  twelve 
hundred  dollars  annually. 

2.  The  proceeds  of  all  lands  that  have  been  or  hereafter  may  be  granted  by  the 
United  States  to  this  State,  for  educational  purposes  (except  the  lands  heretofore 
granted  for  the  purposes  of  a  university),  and  all  moneys  and  the  clear  proceeds  of 
all  property  that  may  accrue  to  the  State  by  forfeiture  or  escheat,  and  all  moneys 
which  may  be  paid  as  an  equivalent  for  exemption  from  military  duty,  and  the 
clear  proceeds  of  all  fines  collected  in  the  several  counties  for  any  breach  of  the 


CONSTITUTION.  201 

penal  laws,  and  all  moneys  arising  from  any  grant  to  the  State,  where  tlic  purposes 
of  such  grant  are  not  specified,  and  the  five  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land  to  which 
the  State  is  entitled  by  the  provisions  of  an  Act  of  Congress  entitled  "An  Act  to  ap- 
propriate the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public  lauds,  and  to  grant  pre-emption 
rights."  approved  the  fourth  day  of  September,  one  thousand  eight  hundre  1  and 
forty-one,  and  also  the  five  per  centum  of  the  nett  proceeds  of  tl»e  public  lauds  to 
which  the  State  shall  become  entitled  on  her  admission  into  the  Union  (if  Conj  ress 
shall  consent  to  such  appropriation  of  the  two  grants  last  mentioned),  shall  be  set 
apart  as  a  separate  fund,  to  be  called  the  school  fund,  the  interest  of  which,  and  all 
other  revenues  derived  from  the  school  lands,  shall  be  exclusively  applied  to  the  fol- 
lowing objects,  to  wit: 

First.  To  the  support  and  maintenance  of  common  sehook,  in  each  school  dis- 
trict, and  the  purchase  of  suitable  libraries  and  apparatus  therefor. 

Second.  The  residue  shall  be  appropriated  to  the  support  and  maintenance  of 
academies  and  normal  schools,  and  suitable  libraries  and  apparatus  therefor. 

3.  The  Legislature  shall  provide  by  law  for  the  establishment  of  district  schools, 
which  shall  be  as  nearly  uniform  as  practicable:  and  such  schools  shall  be  free  and 
without  charge  for  tuition  to  all  children  between  the  ages;  of  four  and  twenty 
years,  and  no  sectarian  instruction  shall  be  allowed  thereiu. 

4.  Each  town  and  city  shall  be  required  to  raise  by  tax.  annually,  for  the  support 
of  common  schools  therein,  a  sum  not  less  than  one-half  the  amount  received 
by  such  town  or  city  respectively  for  school  purposes,  from  the  income  of  the  school 
fund. 

5.  Provision  shall  he  made  hy  law  for  the  distribution  of  the  income  of  the  school 
fund  among  the  several  towns  and  cities  of  the  State,  for  the  support  of  common 
schools  therein,  in  some  just  proportion  to  the  number  of  children  and  youth  resi- 
dent therein,  between  the  ages  of  four  and  twenty  years ;  and  no  appropriation 
shall  be  made  from  the  school  fund  to  any  city  or  town,  for  the  year  in  which  said 
city  or  town  shall  fail  to  raise  sueh  tax,  nor  to  any  school  district  for  the  year  in 
which  a  school  shall  not  he  maintained  at  least  three  mouths. 

6.  Provision  shall  be  made  by  law  for  the  establishment  of  a  State  university,  at 
or  near  the  seat  of  State  Government,  and  for  connecting  with  the  same,  from  time 
to  time,  such  colleges,  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  as  the  interests  of  education 
may  require.  The  proceeds  of  all  lands  that  have  been  or  may  hereafter  he  granted 
by  the  United  States  to  the  State  for  the  support  of  a  university  shall  be  and  re- 
main a  perpetual  fund,  to  be  called  the  ;'  university  fund,"  the  interest  of  which 
shall  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  the  State  university,  and  no  sectarian  in- 
struction shall  be  allowed  in  such  university. 

7.  The  Secretary  of  State,  Treasurer,  and  Attorney-General  shall  constitute  a 
board  of  commissioners  for  the  sale  of  the  school  and  university  lands,  and  for  the 
investment  of  the  funds  arising  therefrom.  Any  two  of  said  commissioners 
shall  be  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  all  business  pertaining  to  the  duties  of 
their  office. 

8.  Provision  shall  be  made  hy  law  for  the  sale  of  all  school  and  university  lands, 
after  they  shall  have  been  appraised;  and  when  any  portion  of  such  lands  shall  be 
sold,  and  the  purchase-money  shall  not  be  paid  at  the  time  of  the  sale,  the  com- 
missioners shall  take  security  by  mortgage  upon  the  laud  sold  for  the  sum  remain- 
ing unpaid,  with  seven  per  cent,  interest  thereon,  payable  annually  at  the  office  of 
the  Treasurer.  The  commissioners  shall  be  authorized  to  execute  a  good  and  suffi- 
cient conveyance  to  all  purchasers  of  such  lands,  and  to  discharge  any  mortgages 


292  ^  CONSTITUTION. 

taken  as  security,  when  the  sum  due  thereon  shall  have  been  paid.  The  commis- 
sioners shall  have  power  to  withhold  from  sale  any  portion  of  such  lands  when 
they  shall  deem  it  expedient,  and  shall  invest  all  moneys  arising  from  the  sale  of 
such  lands,  as  well  as  all  other  university  and  school  funds,  in  such  manner  as  the 
Legislature  shall  provide,  and  shall  give  such  security  for  the  faithful  performance 
of  their  duties  as  may  be  required  by  law. 

ARTICLE    XI. 

CORPORATIONS. 

Section  1.  Corporations  without  banking  powers  or  privileges  may  be  formed 
under  general  laws,  but  shall  not  be  created  by  special  act.  except  for  municipal 
purposes,  and  in  cases  where,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Legislature,  the  objects  of  the 
corporation  cannot  be  attained  uuder  general  laws.  All  general  laws  or  special  acta 
enacted  under  the  provisions  of  this  section  may  be  altered  or  repealed  by  the  Legis- 
lature at  any  time  after  their  passage. 

2.  JS'o  municipal  corporation  shall  take  private  property  for  public  use  against 
the  consent  of  the  owner,  without  the  necessity  thereof  being  first  established  by 
the  verdict  of  a  jury. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature,  and  they  are  hereby  empowered  to  pro- 
Tide  for  the  organization  of  cities  and  incorporated  villages,  and  to  restrict  their 
power  of  taxation,  assessment,  borrowing  money,  contracting  debts,  and  loauing 
their  credit,  so  as  to  preveut  abuses  in  assessments  and  taxation,  and  in  contract- 
ing debts  by  such  municipal  corporations. 

4.  The  Legislature  shall  not  have  power  to  create,  authorize,  or  incorporate,  by 
any  general  or  special  law,  any  bank  or  banking  power  or  privilege,  or  any  institu- 
tion or  corporation,  having  any  banking  power  or  privilege  whatever,  except  as  pro- 
vided in  this  article. 

5.  The  Legislature  may  submit  to  the  voters,  at  any  general  election,  the  ques- 
tion of  "  bank  or  no  bank;"  and  if,  at  any  such  election,  a  number  of  votes  equal 
to  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  at  such  election  on  that  subject  shall  be  in  favor 
of  banks,  then  the  Legislature  shall  have  power  to  grant  bank  charters,  or  to  pass  a 
general  banking  law,  with  such  restrictions,  and  uuder  such  regulations,  as  they 
may  deem  expedient  and  proper  for  the  security  of  the  bill-holders :  Provided,  That 
no  such  grant  or  law  shall  have  any  force  or  effect  until  the  same  shall  have  been 
submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  electors  of  the  State  at  some  general  election,  and  been 
approved  by  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  on  that  subject  at  such  election. 

ARTICLE    XII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

Section  1.  Any  amendment  or  amendments  to  this  Constitution  may  he  proposed 
in  either  House  of  the  Legislature,  and  if  the  same  shall  be  agreed  to  by  a  majority 
of  the  members  elected  to  each  of  the  two  Houses,  such  proposed  amendment  or 
amendments  shall  be  entered  on  their  journals,  with  the  yeas  and  nays  taken 
thereon,  and  referred  to  the  Legislature  to  be  chosen  at  the  next  general  election, 
and  shall  be  published  for  three  months  previous  to  the  time  of  holding  such  elec- 
tion.    And  if,  in  the  Legislature  so  next  chosen,  such  proposed  amendment  or 


CONSTITUTION.  293 

amendments  shall  be  agreed  to  by  a  majority  of  all  the  members  elected  to  each 
House,  then  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  to  submit  such  proposed  amend- 
ment or  amendments  to  the  people,  in  such  manner  and  at  such  time  as  the  Legis- 
lature shall  prescribe;  and  if  the  people  shall  approve  and  ratify  such  amendment 
or  amendments  by  a  majority  of  the  electors  voting  thereon,  such  amendment  or 
amendments  shall  become  part  of  the  Constitution  :  Provided,  That  if  more  than  one 
amendment  be  submitted,  they  shall  be  submitted  in  such  manner  that  the  people 
may  vote  for  or  against  such  amendments  separately.  . 

2.  If  at  any  time  a  majority  of  the  Senate  and  Assembly  shall  deem  it  neces- 
sary to  call  a  convention  to  revise  or  change  this  Constitution,  they  shall  recom- 
mend to  the  electors  to-vote  for  or  against  a  convention  at  the  next  election  for 
members  of  the  Legislature;  and  if  it  shall  appear  that  a  majority  of  the  electors 
voting  thereon  have  voted  for  a  convention,  the  Legislature  shall,  at  its  next  ses- 
sion, provide  for  calling  such  convention. 

ARTICLE    XTII. 

MISCELLANEOUS     PROVISIONS. 

Section  1.  The  political  year  for  the  State  of  'Wisconsin  shall  commence  on  the 
first  Monday  in  January  in  each  year,  and  the  general  election  shall  be  holden  on 
the  Tuesday  succeeding  the  first  Monday  in  November  in  each  year. 

2.  Any  inhabitant  of  this  State  who  may  hereafter  be  engaged,  either  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  a  duel,  either  as  principal  or  accessary,  shall  forever  be  disqualified 
as  an  elector,  and  from  holding  any  office  under  the  Constitution  and  laws  of 
this  State,  and  may  be  punished  in  such  other  manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  by 
law. 

3.  No  member  of  Congress,  nor  any  person  holding  any  office  of  profit  or  trust 
under  the  United  States  (postmasters  excepted),  or  under  any  foreign  power;  no 
person  convicted  of  any  infamous  crime  in  any  court  within  the  United  States,  and 
no  person  being  a  defaulter  to  the  United  States,  or  to  this  State,  or  to  any  county 
or  town  therein,  or  to  any  State  or  Territory  within  the  United  States,  shall  be 
eligible  to  any  office  of  trust,  profit,  or  honor  in  this  State. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  to  provide  a  great  seal  for  the  State, 
which  shall  be  kept  by  the  Secretary  of  State;  and  all  official  acts  of  the  Governor, 
his  approbation  of  the  laws  excepted,  shall  be  thereby  authenticated. 

5.  All  persons  residing  upon  Indian  lands  within  any  county  of  the  State,  and 
qualified  to  exercise  the  right  of  suffrage  under  this  Constitution,  shall  be  entitled 
to  vote  at  the  polls  which  may  be  held  nearest  their  residence,  for  State,  United 
States,  or  county  officers :  Provided,  That  no  person  shall  vote  for  county  officers 
out  of  the  county  in  which  he  resides. 

6.  The  elective  officers  of  the  Legislature,  other  than  the  presiding  officers,  shall 
be  a  chief  clerk,  and  a  sergeant-at-arms,  to  be  elected  by  each  House 

7.  No  county  with  an  area  of  nine  hundred  square  miles  or  less,  shall  be  divided, 
or  have  any  part  stricken  therefrom,  without  submitting  the  question  to  a  vote  of 
the  people  of  the  county,  nor  unless  a  majority  of  all  the  legal  voters  of  the  county 
voting  on  the  question,  shall  vote  for  the  same. 

8.  No  county  seat  shall  be  removed  until  the  point  to  which  it  is  proposed  to  be 
removed  shall  be  fixed  by  law,  and  a  majority  of  the  voters  of  the  county,  voting 
on  the  question,  shall  have  voted  in  favor  of  its  removal  to  such  point. 

25* 


294  CONSTITUTION. 

9.  All  county  officers  whose  election  or  appointment  is  not  provided  for  by  this 
Constitution,  shall  he  elected  by  the  electors  of  the  respective  counties,  or  appointed 
by  the  boards  of  supervisors  or  other  county  authorities,  as  the  Legislature  shall 
direct.  All  city,  town,  and  village  officers,  whose  election  or  appointment  is  not 
provided  for  by  this  Constitution,  shall  be  elected  by  the  electors  of  such  cities, 
towns,  and  villages,  or  of  some  division  thereof,  or  appointed  by  such  authorities 
thereof,  as  the  Legislature  shall  designate  for  that  purpose.  All  other  officers  whose 
election  or  appointment  is  not  provided  for  by  this  Constitution,  and  all  officers 
whose  offices  may  hereafter  be  created  by  law,  shall  be  elected  by  the  people,  or  ap- 
pointed as  the  Legislature  may  direct. 

10.  The  Legislature  may  declare  the  cases  in  which  any  office  shall  be  deemed 
•vacant,  and  also  the  manner  of  filling  the  vacancy  where  no  provision  is  made  for 
that  purpose,  in  this  Constitution. 

ARTICLE    XIV. 

SCHEDULE. 

Section  1.  That  no  inconvenience  may  arise  by  reason  of  a  change  from  a  territo- 
rial to  a  permanent  State  Government,  it  is  declared  that  all  rights,  actions,  prose- 
cutions, judgments,  claims,  and  contracts,  as  well  of  individuals  as  of  bodies  corpo- 
rate, shall  continue  as  if  no  such  change  had  taken  place;  and  all  process  which 
may  be  issued  under  the  authority  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  previous  to  its 
admission  into  the  Union  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  as  valid  as  if  issued  in  the 
name  of  the  State. 

2.  All  laws  now  in  force  in  the  territory  of  Wisconsin,  w"hich  are  not  repugnant 
to  this  Constitution,  shall  remain  in  force  until  they  expire  by  their  own  limita- 
tion, or  be  altered  or  repealed  by  the  Legislature. 

3.  All  fines,  penalties,  or  forfeitures  accruing  to  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  shall 
enure  to  the  use  of  the  State. 

4.  All  recognizances  heretofore  taken,  or  which  may  be  taken  before  the  change 
from  a  Territorial  to  a  permanent  State  Government,  shall  remain  valid,  and  shall 
pass  to,  and  may  be  prosecuted  in  the  name  of  the  State;  and  all  bonds  executed  to 
the  Governor  of  the  Territory,  or  to  any  other  officer  or  court,  iu  his  or  their  offi- 
cial capacity,  shall  pass  to  the  Governor  or  the  State  authority,  and  their  succes- 
sors in  office,  for  the  uses  therein  respectively  expressed,  and  may  be  sued  for  and 
recovered  accordingly ;  and  all  the  estate  or  property,  real,  personal,  or  mixed,  and 
all  judgments,  bonds,  specialities,  choses  in  action,  and  claims  or  debts  of  whatso- 
ever description,  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  shall  enure  to  and  vest  in  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  and  may  be  sued  for  and  recovered  in  the  same  manner,  and  to  the 
same  extent,  by  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  as  the  same  could  have  been  by  the  Terri- 
tory of  Wisconsin.  All  criminal  prosecutions  and  penal  actions  which  may  have 
arisen,  or  which  may  arise  before  the  change  from  a  Territorial  to  a  State  Govern- 
ment, and  which  shall  then  be  pending,  shall  be  prosecuted  to  judgment  and  execu- 
tion in  the  name  of  the  State.  All  offences  committed  against  the  laws  of  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Wisconsin,  before  the  chauge  from  a  Territorial  to  a  Slate  Government, 
ami  which  shall  not  be  prosecuted  before  such  change,  may  be  prosecuted  iu  the 
name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  with  like  effect  as  though 
such  chauge  had  not  taken  place;  and  all  penalties  incurred  shall  remain  the  same 
as  if  this  Constitution  had  not  been  adopted.  All  actions  at  law,  and  suits  in  equity, 


CONSTITUTION.  295 

which  may  be  pending  in  any  of  the  courts  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  at  the 
time  of  the  change  from  a  Territorial  to  a  State  Government,  may  tie  continued  and 
transferred  to  any  court  of  the  State  which  shall  have  jurisdiction  of  the  subject 
matter  thereof. 

5.  All  officers,  civil  and  military,  now  holding  their  offices  under  the  authority 
of  the  Uuited  States,  or  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  shall  coutiuue  to  hold  and 
exercise  their  respective  offices  until  they  shall  be  superseded  by  the  authority  of 
the  State. 

6.  The  first  session  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin  shall  commence 
on  the  first  Monday  in  June  next,  and  shall  be  held  at  the  village  of  Madison, 
which  shall  be  and  remain  the  seat  of  Government  uutil  otherwise  provided  by 
law.  * 

7.  All  county,  precinct,  and  township  officers,  shall  continue  to  hold  their  respec- 
tive offices,  unless  removed  by  the  competent  authority,  until  the  Legislature  shall, 
in  couformity  with  the  provisions  of  this  Constitution,  provide  for  the  holding  of 
elections  to  fill  such  offices  respectively. 

8.  The  President  of  this  convention  shall,  immediately  after  its  adjournment, 
cause  a  fair  copy  of  this  Constitution,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  this  Territory,  entitled  ''An  Act  in  relation  to  the  formation  of  a  State 
Government  in  Wisconsin,  and  to  change  the  time  of  holding  the  annual  session  of 
the  Legislature,"  approved  October  twenty-severrth,  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  forty-seven,  providing  for  the  calling  of  this  convention,  and  also  a  copy  of  so 
much  of  the  last  census  of  this  Territory  as  exhibits  the  number  of  its  inhabitants, 
to  be  forwarded  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  be  laid  before  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  at  its  present  session. 

9.  This  Constitution  shall  be  submitted,  at  an  election  to  be  held  on  the  second 
Monday  in  March  next,  for  ratification  or  rejectiou.  to  all  white  male  persons  of 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years  or  upwards,  who  shall  then  be  residents  of  this  Terri- 
tory and  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  shall  have  declared  their  intention  to  be- 
come such  in  conformity  with  the  laws  of  Congress  on  the  subject  of  naturaliza- 
tion; and  all  persons  having  such  qualifications  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  for  or 
against  the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  and  for  all  officers  first  elected  under  it. 
Aud  if  the  Constitution  be  ratified  by  the  said  electors,  it  shall  become  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  On  such  of  the  ballots  as  are  for  the  Constitu- 
tion, shall  be  written  or  priuted  the  word  "yes;"  and  on  such  as  are  against  the 
Constitution,  the  word  "  no."  The  election  shall  be  conducted  in  the  manner  now 
prescribed  by  law,  and  the  returns  made  by  the  clerks  of  the  boards  of  supervisors 
or  county  commissioners  (as  the  case  may  be)  to  the  Governor  of  the  Territory, 
at  any  time  before  the  tenth  day  of  April  next.  And  in  the  event  of  the  ratifica- 
tion of  this  Constitution,  by  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  given,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  Governor  of  this  Territory  to  make  proclamation  of  the  same,  and  to  trans- 
mit a  digest  of  the  returns  to  the  Senate  aud  Assembly  of  the  State,  on  the  first  day 
of  their  session.  An  election  shall  be  held  for  Governor  and  Lieutenant-Governor, 
Treasurer,  Attorney-General,  members  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  members  of 
Congress,  on  the  second  Monday  of  May  next,  and  no  other  or  further  notice  of 
audi  election  shall  be  required. 

10.  Two  members  of  Congress  shall  also  be  elected  on  the  second  Monday  of  May 
next;  and,  until  otherwise  provided  by  law,  the  counties  of  Milwaukee,  Waukesha, 
Jefferson,  Racine,  Walworth,  Rock,  aud  Greene,  shall  constitute  the  first  Congres- 
sional district,  and  elect  one  member;  and  the  counties  of  Washington,  Sheboygan, 


296  CONSTITUTION. 

Manitouwoc,  Calumet,  Brown,  Winnebago,  Fond  du  Lac,  Marquette,  Sauk,  Portage, 
Columbia,  Dodge,  Dane,  Iowa,  La  Fayette,  Grant,  Richland,  Crawford,  Chippewa, 
St.  Croix,  and  La  Pdinte,  shall  constitute  the  second  Congressional  district,  and  shall 
elect  one  member. 

11.  The  several  elections  provided  for  in  this  article  shall  be  conducted  according 
to  the  existing  laws  of  the  Territory  :  Provided,  That  no  elector  shall  be  entitled  to 
vote,  except  in  the  town,  ward,  or  precinct  where  he  resides.  The  returns  of  elec- 
tion for  senators  and  members  of  Assembly  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  clerk  of  the 
board  of  supervisors,  or  county  commissioners,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  the  votes 
shall  be  canvassed,  and  certificates  of  election  issued,  as  now  provided  by  law.  In 
the  first  Senatorial  district,  the  returns  of  the  election  for  Senator  shall  be  made 
to  the  proper  officer  in  the  county  of  Brown.  In  the  second  Senatorial  district,  to 
the  proper  officer  in  the  county  of  Columbia.  In  the  third  Senatorial  district,  to 
the  proper  officer  in  the  county  of  Crawford.  In  the  fourth  Senatorial  district,  to 
the  proper  officer  in  the  county  of  Fond  du  Lac.  And  in  the  fifth  Senatorial  district, 
to  the  proper  officer  in  the  county  of  Iowa.  The  returns  of  election  for  State  offi- 
cers and  members  of  Congress  shall  be  certified  and  transmitted  to  the  Speaker  of 
the  Assembly  at  the  seat  of  Government,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  votes  for  Dele- 
gate to  Congress  are  required  to  be  certified  and  returned  by  the  laws  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  Wisconsin,  to  the  Secretary  of  said  Territory,  and  in  such  time  that  they  may 
be  received  on  the  first  Monday  in' June  next;  and  as  soon  as  the  Legislature  shall 
be  organized,  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly  and  the  President  of  the  Senate  shall,  in 
the  presence  of  both  Houses,  examine  the  returns,  and  declare  who  are  duly  elected 
to  fill  the  several  offices  hereinbefore  mentioned,  and  give  to  each  of  the  persons 
elected  a  certificate  of  his  election. 

12.  Until  there  shall  be  a  new  apportionment,  the  Senators  and  members  of  the 
Assembly  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  several  districts,  as  hereinafter  men- 
tioned; and  each  district  shall  be  entitled  to  elect  one  Senator  or  member  of  the 
Assembly,  as  the  case  may  be. 

The  counties  of  Brown,  Calumet,  Manitouwoc,  and  Sheboygan,  shall  constitute 
the  first  Senate  district. 

The  counties  of  Columbia,  Marquette,  Portage,  and  Sauk,  shall  constitute  the 
Second  Senate  district. 

The  counties  of  Crawford,  Chippewa,  St.  Croix,  and  La  Pointe,  shall  constitute  the 
third  Senate  district. 

The  counties  of  Fond  du  Lac,  and  Winnebago,  shall  constitute  the  fourth  Senate 
district. 

The  counties  of  Iowa,  and  Richland,  shall  constitute  the  fifth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Grant  shall  constitute  the  sixth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  La  Fayette  shall  constitute  the  seventh  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Green  shall  constitute  the  eighth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Dane  shall  constitute  the  ninth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Dodge  shall  constitute  the  tenth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Washington  shall  constitute  the  eleventh  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Jeffersou  shall  constitute  the  twelfth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Waukesha  shall  constitute  the  thirteenth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Walworth  shall  constitute  the  fourteenth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Kock  shall  constitute  the  fifteenth  Senate  district. 

The  towns  of  Southport,  Pike,  Pleasant,  Prairie,  Paris,  Bristol,  Brighton,  Salem, 


CONSTITUTION.  2U7 

and  Wheatland,  in  the  county  of  Racine,  shall  constitute  the  sixteenth  Senate  dis- 
trict. 

The  towns  of  Racine,  Caledonia,  Mount  Pleasant,  Raymond,  Norway,  Rochester 
Yorkville.  and  Burlington,  iu  the  county  of  Racine,  shall  constitute  the  seventeenth 
Senate  district. 

The  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  wards  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  and  the  towns  of 
Lake,  Oak  Creek,  Franklin,  and  Greenfield,  in  the  county  of  Milwaukee,  shall  con- 
stitute the  eighteenth  Senate  district. 

The  first  and  second  wards  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  and  the  towns  of  Milwau- 
kee, Wauwatosa,  and  Granville,  in  the  county  of  Milwaukee,  shall  constitute  the 
nineteenth  Senate  district. 

The  county  of  Brown  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  county  of  Calumet  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  county  of  Manitouwoc  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  county  of  Columbia  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  counties  of  Crawford  and  Chippewa  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  counties  of  St.  Croix  and  La  Poiute  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Windsor,  Sun  Prairie,  and  Cottage  Grove,  in  the  county  of  Dane, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Madison,  Cross  Plains,  Clarkson,  Springfield,  Verona,  Montrose, 
Oregon,  and  Greenfield,  in  the  county  of  Lane,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  dis- 
trict. 

The  towns  of  Rome,  Dunkirk,  Christiana,  Albion,  and  Rutland,  in  the  county  of 
Dane,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Burnett,  Chester,  Le  Roy,  and  Willianistown,  in  the  county  of  Dodge, 
shall  constitute  au  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Fairfield,  Hubbard,  and  Rubicon,  in  the  county  of  Dodge,  shall  con- 
stitute an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Huetisford,  Ashippun,  Lebanon,  and  Emmet,  in  the  county  of  Dodge, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Elba,  Lowell,  Portland,  and  Clyman,  in  the  county  of  Dodge,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Calamus,  Beaver  Dam,  Fox  Lake,  and  Trenton,  in  the  county  of 
Dodge,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Calumet,  Forest.  Auburn,  Byron,  Taychedah,  and  Fond  du  Lac,  in 
the  county  of  Fond  du  Lac,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Alto,  Metoman,  Ceresco,  Rosendale,  Waupun.  Oakfield,  and  Seven 
Mile  Creek,  in  the  county  of  Fond  du  Lac.  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Hazel  Green.  Fairplay,  Smeltzers  Grove,  and  Jamestown,  in  the 
county  of  Grant,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Plattville,  Head  of  Platte,  Centreville.  Muscoday,  and  Fennimore, 
in  the  county  of  Grant,  shall  constitute  au  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Pleasant  Valley,  Potosi,  Waterloo.  Hurricane,  and  New  Lisbon, 
in  the  county  of  Grant,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Beetown,  Patch  Grove,  Cassville,  Millville,  and  Lancaster,  in  the 
county  of  Grant,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  county  of  Green  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Dallas,  Pedler's  Creek,  Mineral  Point,  and  Yellow  Stone,  in  the 
county  of  Iowa,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Franklin,  Dodgeville,   Porter's  Grove,  Arena,  and  Percussion, 


2D  8  CONSTITUTION. 

in  the  county  of  Iowa,  and  the  county  of  Richland,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly 
district. 

The  towns  of  Watertown,  Aztalan,  and  Waterloo,  in  the  county  of  Jefferson,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Ixonia,  Concord,  Sullivan,  Hebron,  Cold  Spring,  and  Palmyra,  in 
the  county  of  Jefferson,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Lake  Mills,  Oakland.  Koskonong,  Farmington,  and  Jefferson,  in  the 
county  of  Jefferson,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Benton,  Elk  Grove,  Belmont,  Willow  Springs,  Prairie,  and  that 
part  of  Shullsburgh  precinct  north  of  town  one,  in  the  county  of  La  Fayette,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  precincts  of  Wiota,  Wayne,  Gratiot,  White  Oak  Springs,  Fever  River,  and 
that  part  of  Sbullsburgh  precinct  south  of  town  two,  in  the  county  of  La  Fayette, 
6hall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  county  of  Marquette  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  first  ward  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  second  ward  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  third  ward  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  fourth  and  fifth  wards  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee  shall  constitute  an  Assembly 
district. 

The  towns  of  Franklin,  and  Oak  Creek,  in  the  county  of  Milwaukee,  shall  consti- 
tute an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Greenfield  and  Lake,  in  the  county  of  Milwaukee,  shall  constitute 
an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Granville,  Watiwatosa,  and  Milwaukee,  in  the  county  of  Milwaukee, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  county  of  Fortage  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  town  of  Racine,  in  the  county  of  Racine,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  dis- 
trict. 

The  towns  of  Norway,  Raymond,  Caledonia,  and  Mount  Pleasant,  in  the  county 
of  Racine,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  6f  Rochester,  Burlington,  and  Yorkville,  in  the  county  of  Racine,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Southport,  Pike,  and  Pleasant  Prairie,  in  the  county  of  Racine,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Paris,  Bristol,  Brighton,  Salem,  and  Wheatland,  in  the  county  of 
Racine,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Janesville  and  Bradford,  in  the  county  of  Rock,  shall  constitute  an 
Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Beloit,  Turtle,  and  Clinton,  in  the  county  of  Rock,  shall  constitute 
an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Magnolia,  Union,  Porter,  and  Fulton,  in  the  county  of  Rock,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Milton,  Lima,  and  Johnstown,  in  the  county  of  Rock,  shall  consti- 
tute an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Newark,  Rock,  Avon,  Spring  Valley,  and  Centre,  in  the  county  of 
Rock,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district:  Provided,  That,  if  the  Legislature  shall 
divide  the  town  of  Centre,  they  may  attach  such  part  of  it  to  the  district  lying  next 
north,  as  they  may  deem  expedient. 

The  county  of  Sauk  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 


CONSTITUTION.  209 

Precincts  nnmhered  one.  three,  and  seven,  in  the  county  of  Sheboygan,  shall  con- 
stitute an  Assembly  district. 

Precincts  numbered  two,  four,  five,  and  six,  in  the  county  of  Sheboygan,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Troy,  East  Troy,  and  Spring  Prairie,  in  the  county  of  Walworth, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Whitewater,  Richmond,  and  Lagrange,  in  the  county  of  Walworth, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Geneva,  Hudson,  and  Bloomfield,  in  the  county  of  Walworth,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Darien,  Sharon,  Walworth,  and  Linn,  in  the  county  of  Walworth, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Delavan,  Sugar  Creek,  La  Fayette,  and  Elkhorn,  in  the  county  of 
Walworth,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Lisbon,  Menomonee,  and  Brookfield,  in  the  county  of  Waukesha, 
shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Warren,  Oconomewoc,  Summit,  and  Ottowa,  in  the  county  of  Wau- 
kesha, shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Delafield,  Genesee,  and  Pewaukee,  in  the  county  of  Waukesha,  shall 
constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Waukesha  and  New  Berlin,  in  the  county  of  Waukesha,  shall  con- 
stitute an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Eagle,  Mukwanego,  Vernon,  and  Muskego,  in  the  county  of  Wau- 
kesha, shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Port  Washington,  Eredonia,  and  Clarence,  in  the  county  of  Wash- 
ington, shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Grafton  and  Jackson,  in  the  county  of  Washington,  shall  constitute 
an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Mequon  and  Germantown,  in  the  county  of  Washington,  shall  con- 
stitute an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Polk,  Richfield,  and  Erin,  in  the  county  of  Washington,  shall  consti- 
tute an  Assembly  district. 

The  towns  of  Hartford,  Addison,  West  Bend,  and  North  Bend,  in  the  county  of 
Washington,  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  covinty  of  Winnebago  shall  constitute  an  Assembly  district. 

The  foregoing  districts  are  subject,  however,  so  far  to  be  altered  that  when  any 
new  town  shall  be  organized,  it  may  be  added  to  either  of  the  adjoining  Assembly 
districts. 

13.  Such  parts  of  the  common  law  as  are  now  in  force  in  the  Territory  of  Wiscon- 
sin, not  inconsistent  with  this  Constitution,  shall  be  and  continue  part  of  the  law 
of  this  State,  until  altered  or  suspended  by  the  Legislature. 

14.  The  Senators  first  elected  in  the  even-numbered  Senate  districts,  the  Governor, 
Lieutenant-Governor,  and  other  State  officers  first  elected  under  this  Constitution, 
shall  enter  upon  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices  on  the  first  Monday  of  June 
next,  and  shall  continue  in  office  for  one  year  from  the  first  Monday  of  January 
next.  The  Senators  first  elected  in  the  odd-numbered  Senate  districts,  and  the 
members  of  the  Assembly  first  elected,  shall  enter  upon  their  duties  respectively  on 
the  first  Monday  of  June  next,  and  shall  continue  in  office  until  the  first  Monday 
in  January  next. 

15.  The  oath  of  office  may  he  administered  by  any  judge  or  justice  of  the  peace, 
until  the  Legislature  shall  otherwise  direct. 


300  CONSTITUTION. 


RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolvsd,  That  tlie  Congress  of  the  United  States  Vie  and  is  hereby  requested,  upon 
the  application  of  Wisconsin  for  admission  into  the  Union,  so  to  alter  the  provisions 
of  an  Act  of  Congress  entitled  "An  Act  to  grant  a  quantity  of  land  to  the  Territory 
of  Wisconsin  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  opening  a  canal  to  connect  the  waters  of 
Lake  Michigan  with  those  of  Rock  River,"  approved  June  eighteenth,  eighteen  hun- 
dred and  thirty-ei^ht;  and  so  to  alter  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  grant  mado 
therein,  that  the  odd-numbered  sections  thereby  granted,  and  remaining  unsold, 
may  be  held  and  disposed  of  by  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  as  part  of  the  five  hundred 
thousand  acres  of  land  to  which  said  State  is  entitled  by  the  provisions  of  an  Act 
of  Congress  entitled  ''An  Act  to  appropriate  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public 
lauds,  and  to  grant  pre-emption  rights,"  approved  the  fourth  day  of  September, 
eighteen  huudred  and  forty-one;  and  further,  that  the  even-numbered  sections  re- 
served by  Congress  may  be  offered  for  sale  by  the  United  States  for  the  same  mini- 
mum price,  and  subject  to  the  same  rights  of  pre-emption  as  other  public  lands  of 
the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  Congress  be  further  requested  to  pass  an  act  whereby  the  excess 
price  over  and  above  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre,  which  may  have 
been  paid  by  the  purchasers  of  said  even-numbered  sections  which  shall  have  been 
sold  by  the  United  States,  be  refunded  to  the  present  owners  thereof,  or  they  be 
allowed  to  enter  any  of  the  public  lauds  of  the  United  States,  to  an  amount  equal 
in  value  to  the  excess  so  paid. 

Resolved,  That,  in  case  the  odd-numbered  sections  shall  be  ceded  to  the  State  as 
aforesaid,  the  same  shall  be  sold  by  the  State  in  the  same  manner  as  other  school 
lands:  Provided,  That  the  same  rights  of  pre-emption  as  are  now  granted  by  the 
laws  of  the  United  States  shall  be  secured  to  persons  who  may  be  actually  settled 
upon  such  lauds  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  this  Constitution:  And  provided  fur- 
ther, That  the  excess  price  over  and  above  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per  acre, 
absolutely  or  conditionally  contracted  to  be  paid  by  the  purchasers  of  any  part  of 
said  sections  which  shall  have  been  sold  by  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  shall  be  re- 
mitted to  such  purchasers,  their  representatives,  or  assigns. 

Reserved,  That  Congress  be  requested,  upon  the  application  of  Wisconsin  for  ad- 
mission into  the  Union,  to  pass  an  act  whereby  the  grant  of  five  hundred  thousand 
acres  of  laud,  to  which  the  State  of  Wisconsin  is  entitled  by  the  provisions  of  an  Act 
of  Congress  entitled  ''An  Act  to  appropriate  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public 
lands,  and  to  grant  pre-emption  rights,"  approved  the  fourth  day  of  September, 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty-one,  and  also  the  five  per  centum  of  the  nett  proceeds 
of  the  public  lands  lying  within  the  State,  to  which  it  shall  become  entitled  on  its 
admission  into  the  Union,  by  the  provisions  of  an  Act  of  Congress,  entitled  "An 
Act  to  enable  the  people  of  Wisconsin  Territory  to  form  a  Constitution  and  State 
Government,  and  for  the  admission  of  such  State  into  the  Union,"  approved  the 
6ixth  day  of  August,  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six,  shall  be  granted  to  the  State 
of  Wisconsin  for  the  use  of  schools,  instead  of  the  purposes  mentioned  in  said  Acts 
of  Congress  respectively. 

Resolved,  That  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  be  and  hereby  is  requested,  upon 
the.  admission  of  this  State  into  the  Union,  so  as  to  alter  the  provisions  of  the  Act 
of  Congress,  entitled  •'  An  Act  to  grant  a  certain  quantity  of  land  to  aid  in  the 


CONSTITUTION.  301 

improvement  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers,  and  to  connect  the  same  by  a  canal 
in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,"  that  the  price  of  the  lands  reserved  to  the  United 
States  shall  be  reduced  to  the  minimum  price  of  the  public  lauds. 

Resolved,  That  the  Legislature  of  this  State  shall  make  provision  by  law  for  the 
pale  of  the  lands  granted  to  the  State  in  aid  of  said  improvements,  subject  to  the 
same  rights  of  pre-emption  to  the  settlers  thereon,  as  are  now  allowed  by  law  to 
settlers  on  the  public  lands. 

Besolvcd,  That  the  foregoing  resolutions  be  appended  to  and  signed  with  the  Con- 
stitution of  Wisconsin,  and  submitted  therewith  to  the  people  of  this  Territory,  and 
to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

In  testimony  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands,  at  Madison,  the  first  day 
of  Februar}',  A.  D.,  eighteen  hundred  hundred  and  forty-eight. 

MORGAN  L.  MARTIN,  President. 
Thomas  MIIdgh,  Secretary. 


26 


WISCONSIN   STATE    GOVERNMENT, 

Governor  —  Coles  Bashford. 
Private  Secretary  —  B.  F.  Hopkins. 
IAeutena nt- Governor  —  Arthur  M'Arthdr. 
Secretary  of  State  —  David  W.  Jones. 
Assistant  Secretary  of  State  —  John  W.  Hunt. 
Treasurer  —  Charles  Kuehn. 
Assistant  Treasurer  —  Carl  Habich. 
Attorney-General  —  William  R.  Smith. 
Bank  Comptroller  —  William  M.  Dennis. 
Assistant  Bank  Comptroller  —  A.  MengeS. 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  —  A.  C.  Barry. 
Assistant  "  "  —  M.  S.  Barry. 

Stale  Librarian  —  Horace  Rublee. 
Superintendent  of  Public  Property  —  J.  II.  Pruess. 
State  Prison  Commissioner  —  Edw.  MGarry. 
Adjutant-General —  Amasa  Cobb. 
Commissary-General  —  V.  W.  Roth. 

SUPREME    COURT. 

Chief  Justice  —  Edward  V.  Whiton. 
Assistant  Justices  —  A.  D.  Smith,  0.  Cole. 
Clerk  —  La  Fayette  Kellogg. 

JUDGES   OF   CIRCUIT   COURTS. 
First  Circuit  —  John  M.  Keep,  Beloit. 
Second     "  A.  W.  Randall,  Waukesha. 

Third     "  C.  H.  Larrabee,  Horicon. 

Fourth    "  W.  R.  Gorsline,  Sheboygan. 

Fifth       "         M.  M.  Cothren,  MiQeral  Point. 
Sixth       "         George  Gale,  La  Crosse. 
Seventh   "         George  W.  Cate,  Stevens  Point. 
Eighth     "         S.  S.  N.  Fuller,  Hudson 
Ninth      "         A.  L.  Collins,  Madison. 
Tenth      "  S.  R.  Cotton,  Green  Bay. 

U.  S.  District  Judge  —  Andrew  Miller. 

"  Attorney  —  Don  A.  J.  Upham. 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 
Hon.  Charles  Durkee,  Windsor. 
Hon.  James  R.  Doolittle,  Racine. 

REPRESENTATIVES    IN    CONGRESS. 

First  District — John  F.  Potter,  East  Troy. 
Seamd      "         C-  C.  Washburne,  Mineral  Point. 
Ihird       "         C.  Blujnghurst,  Juneau. 

(303) 


PUBLIC    INSTITUTIONS. 

State  University,  located  at  Madison,  has  a  fund  of  $311,000,  drawing  7  per  cent, 
interest;  and  this  fund  will  soon  be  increased  to  at  least  $350,000  by  the  disposition 
of  the  remainder  of  the  University  lands  granted  by  Congress.  Its  annual  income 
will  soon  amount,  from  this  source,  to  $25,000,  and  probably  some  $5000  from  stu- 
dent's fees  and  other  sources. 

Common  Schools. — By  the  report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  it 
appears  that  the  total  amount  of  the  School  Fund,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1857,  was 
$2,0-17,903  74. 

The  State  Historical  Society,  at  Madison,  possesses  a  library  of  over  3120  vol- 
umes ;  besides  a  large  number  of  maps  and  engravings ;  a  fine  collection  of  oil 
paintings,  chiefly  portraits  of  early  pioneers  and  prominent  men;  together  with 
many  valuable  memoirs  of  our  early  history. 

Wisconsin  Institute  for  the  Education  of  the  Blind,  Janesvitte. — This  Institu- 
tion was  opened  August  1st,  1850,  and  is  in  a  highly  flourishing  condition. 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute,  Delavan,  Walworth  County. — This  Institution  was  esta- 
blished in  1852.  Buildings  have  been  erected  to  accommodate  60  pupils.  The  charge 
to  pupils  of  other  States  is  $100  per  annum  for  tuition  and  board. 

State  Prison,  at  Wampum,  Fond  du  Lac  County. — The  labor  of  the  convicts  is  let 
out  by  contract,  at  rates  from  48  to  60  cents  a  day,  25  cents  a  day  being  allowed  for 
apprentices. 

State  Agricultural  Society  is  located  at  Madison.  It  receives  $3000  annually 
from  the  State, 

Banks. — The  number  of  Banks  organized  and  doing  business  in  the  State,  on  the 
lstof  January,  1857,  was  50,  the  aggregate  capital  of  which  was  (3,290,000.  The  reve- 
nue to  tlie  State  arising  from  the  tax  on  banking  capital,  in  1856,  was  $37,564  09. 
The  total  amount  of  countersigned  notes  issued  to  Banks  and  outstanding,  in  Janu- 
ary last,  was  $1,950,967.  Amount  of  securities  on  deposit  with  the  Bank  Comp- 
troller, to  redeem  outstanding  notes,  $2,208,476. 

Public  Lands.— The  amount  of  public  lands  disposed  of  by  entry  and  location,  up 
to  June  30th,  1856,  was  9,066,912  26-100  acres.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Land 
Offices,  with  the  names  of  the  Registers  and  Receivers,  viz.:  — 

Mineral  Point Joel  C.  Squires,  Register Henry  Plowman,  Receiver. 

Manasha John  A.  Bryan,        "       Benjamin  II.  Alooers, 

Eau  Claire W.  T.  Galloway,        "       M.  B.  Bouden, 

Hudson T.  Rush  Speucer,       "       James  D.  Keyment, 

Stevens  Point Abraham  Brawley,  "       Albert  G.  Kllis, 

La  Crosse Charles  S.Benton,   "       Theodore  liodolf, 

Superior Daniel  Shaw,  "       Eliab  B.  Diau,  Jr., 

(304) 


LIST    OF    POST-OFFICES 


IN    THE 


STATE    OF    WISCONSIN, 

Arranged  Alphabetically  in  Counties. 


Adams  County. 

Big  Spring. 
Davis'  Corners. 
Dell  Prairie. 
Edna. 
Fountain. 
German  town. 
Grand  Marsh. 
Jaekson. 
Little  Lake. 
Maugh's  Mills. 
Mill  Haven. 
Necedah. 
New  Chester. 
One  Mile  Creek. 
Point  Bluff. 
Preston. 
Pilot  Knob. 
Quincy. 
Roche-a-Cri. 
Seven  Mile  Creek. 
Twin  Valley. 
White  Creek. 
Wonewoc. 

Bad  Ax  County. 

Avalanche. 
Bad  Ax. 
Coon  Prairie. 
Debello. 
De  Soto. 
Harmony. 
Hillsborough. 
K  ickapoo. 
New  Brookville. 
Retreat. 


Bad  Ax  Co.— Continual. 
Newville. 
River  Side. 
Romance. 
Victory. 
Viroqua. 
Weister. 
Warner's  Landing. 

Brown  County. 

De  Pere  (c.h.). 
Fort  Howard. 
Fremont. 
Green  Bay. 
Mukwa. 
New  Franken. 
Oneida. 
Weqniot. 
Wrightstown. 

Buffalo  County. 

Alma. 
Fountain  City. 

Calumet  County. 

Brillion. 

CharU-stown. 

Chilton. 

Dundas. 

High  Cliff. 

Lynn. 

New  Holstein. 

Pequot. 

Stock  bridge. 


Chippewa  County. 

Chippewa  City. 
Chippewa  Falls. 
Clear  Water. 
Menominee. 

Clark  County. 

Clark  C.H. 
Wedges  Creek. 

Columbia  County. 

Arlington. 
Basin  Lake. 
Beaver  Creek. 
Bellefountain. 
Cambria. 
Centreville. 
Columbus. 
Courtland. 
Dekorra. 
East  Randolph. 
Fall  River. 
Hampden. 
Leeds. 
Lodi. 
Lowville. 
Mareellon. 
New  Haven. 
Newport. 
Oshaukuta. 
Otsego. 
Pacific. 
Pardeeville. 
Pigeon  Grove. 
(305) 


306 


LIST    OF    POST-OFFICES. 


Columbia  Co. — Continued. 

Dane  Co. — Continued. 

Fond  du  Lac  Co. — ConVd. 

Porta.se  City. 

Rutland. 

Ashford. 

Port  Hope. 

Spring  Bale. 

Auburn. 

Poynett. 

Stoner's  Prairie. 

Black  Hawk. 

Randolph  Centre. 

Stoughton. 

Bothelle. 

Rio. 

Sun  Prairie. 

Brandon. 

Rocky  Run. 

Sweet  Home. 

Byron. 

ShoneaW. 

Utica. 

Calumet  Village. 

Welch  Prairie. 

Verona. 

Ceresco. 

Wyocena. 

Westport. 

Botyville. 

Windsor. 

Eden. 

Crawford  County. 

York. 

El  Dorado. 
Empire. 

Bell  Center. 
Eastman. 

Dodge  County. 

Fair  Water. 
Fond  du  Lac. 

Hill's  Valley. 

Ashipun. 

Foster. 

Marietta. 

Beaver  Dam. 

Hinesberg. 

Mount  Sterling. 

Burnett. 

Junius. 

Ocena. 

Chester. 

Ladoga. 

Prairie  du  Chien. 

Chester  Station. 

Lamartine. 

Rising  Sun. 

Clyman. 
East  Lomira. 

Marytown. 

Seneca. 

Metomen. 

Springville. 

Elba. 

Moria. 

Stockville. 

Emmett. 

Murone. 

Wattering  Grove. 

Farmersville. 

Nanaupa. 

Fox  Lake. 

Newfane. 

Dane  County. 

Hermann. 
Horicon. 

Oakfield. 
Oceola. 

Albion. 
Ancient. 

Hustisford. 
Iron  Kidge. 
Juneau. 

Rosendale. 
Rush  Lake. 
Taycheeda. 

Ashton. 

Le  Roy. 

Waueousta. 

Belleville. 

Wawpun. 

Berry. 

Lowell ' 

West  Rosendale. 

Beverly. 
Black  Earth. 

Mayville. 

Blue  Mound. 
Burke. 
Cambridge. 
Christiana. 

N  apasha. 
Neosho. 
Oak  Grove. 
Portland. 

Grant  County. 

Beetown. 

Block  House  Mills. 

Cottage  Grove. 
Cross  Plains. 
Bane. 

Rubicon. 
Theresa. 
Woodland. 

Bunker  Hill. 

Cassville. 

Charlotte. 

Deerfield. 

Dickeysville. 

Boor  Creek. 

Door  County. 

Ellenboro'. 

Bunkirk. 

Fair  Play. 

Eolia. 

Sturgeon  Bay. 

Fennimore. 

Fitchburgh. 

Washington  Harbor. 

Hazel  Green. 

Grand  Spring. 

Hickory  Grove. 

Hanchettville. 
Lake  View. 

Douglass  County. 

Hurricane  Grove. 
Jamestown. 

Leicester. 

Superior. 

Lancaster  (c.h.). 

Madison. 

Little  Grant. 

Mazo  Manie. 
Middleton. 

Dunn  County. 

Millville. 
Montfort. 

Mount  Vernon. 

North  Pepin. 

Mount  Hope. 

Oregon. 

Ogalla. 

Muscoda. 

Peirceville. 

New  California. 

Pine  Bluff. 
Pleasant  Branch. 

Fond  du  Lac  County. 

Patch  Grove. 
Platteville. 

Primrose. 

Alcove. 

Plum  Grove. 

Roxbury. 

Alto. 

Potosi. 

LIST    OP    POST-OFFICES. 


307 


Grant  Co. — Continued. 
Rockville. 
Saint  Rose. 
Smeltzer's  Grove. 
Tafton. 
Washburn. 
Wyalusing. 

Green  County. 

Albany. 

Attica. 

Bern. 

Brooklyn. 

Cadiz. 

Clarence. 

Dayton. 

Decatur. 

Exeter. 

Farmer's  Grove. 

Hoosick. 

Jordan. 

Juda. 

Monroe  (c.h.). 

Montieello. 

Monfield. 

Nevada. 

New  Glarus. 

Shuey's  Milla 

Skinner. 

Spring  Grove 

Sylvester. 

Walnut  Springs. 

Willet. 

Iowa  County. 

Anna. 

Clyde. 

Constance. 

Dodgeville. 

Dover. 

Helena. 

Highland. 

Jenuieton. 

Linden 

Mifflin. 

Mineral  Point. 

Moscow. 

Ridgeway. 

Wyoming. 

Jackson  County. 
Black  River  Falls. 
Canton. 
Melrose. 
Mound  Springs. 
North  Bend. 
Pine  Hill. 
Bole  Grove. 
Roaring  Creek. 
Smith's  Ferry. 


Jefferson  County. 

Aztalan. 

Hark  River. 

Cold  Spring. 

Concord. 

Farmington. 

Fort  Atkinson. 

Golden  Lake. 

Ilubbleton. 

IlelenvilLe. 

Ixonia. 

Jefferson  (c.h.). 

Johnson's  Creek. 

Koskonong. 

Lake  Mills. 

Milford. 

Oak  Hill. 

Oakland. 

Palmyra. 

Rome. 

Sullivan. 

Transit. 

Waterloo. 

Watertown. 


Kenosha   County. 

Brighton. 

Bristol. 

Cypress. 

Kenosha. 

Liberty. 

Marion. 

Paris. 

Salem. 

Wheatland. 

Wilmot. 

Kewaunee  County. 

Kewaunee. 

La  Crosse  County. 

Bangor. 
Burns. 
Burr  Oak. 
Half  Way  Creek. 
La  Crosse. 
Mindoro. 
Neshonoc. 
Onalaska. 

La  Fayette  County. 

Argvle. 
Bashford. 
Benton. 
Cottage  Inn. 
Darlington. 


La  Crosse  Co. — Continued. 

Elk  Grove. 

F'ayette. 

Georgetown. 

Gratiot. 

New  Diggings. 

Shullsburgh. 

Spafford. 

White  Oak  Spring. 

Wiota. 

Yellow  Stone. 

La  Pointe  County. 

La  Pointe. 

Odanah. 
Whittlesey. 

Manitowoc  County. 

Branch. 

Clark's  Mills. 

Coopers  town. 

Katon. 

Francis  Creek. 

Hika. 

Manitowoc. 

Manitowoc  Rapids. 

Maple  Grove. 

Meeme. 

Mishicot. 

Neshoto. 

Newtonburgh. 

Niles. 

Two  Rivers 


Marathon  County. 

Knowlton. 
Little  Bull  Falls. 
Wausau  (c.h.). 

Marquette  County. 

Berlin. 

Dartford. 

Germania. 

Grand  Prairie. 

Green  Lake. 

Greenwood. 

Harrisville. 

Kingston. 

La  C6te  St.  Marie. 

Lake  Maria. 

M'lntyre  Creek. 

Mackford. 

Markesan. 

Marquette. 

Montello. 

Moundville. 


508 


LIST    OF    POST-OFFICES. 


Marquette  Co. — Continued. 
Neshkoro. 
Newton. 
Ordiuo. 
Oxford. 
Pakwaukee. 
Pine  River. 
Princeton. 
Kock  Hill. 
Roslin. 
Stone  Hill. 
Tachorah. 
Westfield. 
West  Green  Lake. 

Milwaukee  County. 

Butler. 
Davis. 
Franklin. 
Good  Hope. 
Granville. 
Greenfield. 
Hale's  Corners. 
Lamberton. 
Milwaukee. 
New  Berlin. 
Now  Keoln. 
Oak  Creek. 
Boot  Creek. 
Ten  Mile  House. 
Wauwatosa. 
West  Granville. 

Monroe  County. 

Angelo. 

Big  Valley. 

Clifton. 

Glendale. 

Jacksonville. 

Leon. 

Mount  Pisgah. 

Puckwana. 

Ridgeville. 

Sparta. 

Toman. 

Oconto  County. 

Clarksville. 
Marrinette. 
Oconto. 
Stiles. 

Outagamie  County. 

Appleton. 
Ellington. 
Freedom . 
Greenville. 
Hortonville. 


Outagamie  Co.— Continued. 

Kaukauna. 

Keshena. 

Lansing. 

Little  Chute. 

Medina. 

Shaw-wu-no. 

Shiocton. 

Wakefield. 

Ozaukee  County. 

Cedarburgh. 

Fredonia. 

Freistadt. 

Grafton. 

Mequon  River. 

Ozaukee. 

Saukville. 

Ulao. 

Pierce  County. 

Clifton  Mills. 
Diamond  Bluff. 
Pleasant  View. 
Prescott  (e.h.). 
Biver  Falls. 
Trim  Belle. 

Polk  County. 

Osceola  Mills. 

Portage  County. 

Almond. 
Badger. 
Buena  Vista. 
Eau  Pleine. 
Grand  Rapids. 
Iron  Creek. 
Lone  Pine. 
Madely. 
Plover  (c.h.). 
Saratoga. 
Stevens  Point. 

Racine  County. 

Burlington. 

Caldwell  Prairie. 

Caledonia. 

Caledonia  Centre. 

Denoon. 

Ives'  Grove. 

Kansasville. 

Mount  Pleasant. 

Norway. 

Pan  Yan. 

Racine. 

Raymond. 


Bacine  Co.— Continued. 
Rochester. 
South  Bristol. 
Sylvania. 
Trowbridge. 
Union  Grove. 
Waterford. 
Whitesville. 
Yorkville. 

Richland  County. 

Ashland. 

Buckeye. 

Cazenovia. 

Cincinnati. 

Fancy  Creek. 

Forest. 

Loyd. 

Melanchthorj  Creek. 

Neptune. 

Orion. 

Port  Andrew. 

Richland  Centre. 

Richland  City. 

Rockbridge. 

SextonviUe. 

Viola. 

West  Branch. 

Woodstock. 

Rock  County. 

Afton. 

Avon. 

Bass  Creek. 

Beloit. 

Center. 

Clinton. 

Cooksville. 

Edgerton. 

Emerald  Grove. 

Evansville. 

Fairfield. 

Footville. 

Fulton. 

Inmansville. 

Janesville. 

Johnstown. 

Johnstown  Centre. 

Leyden. 

Lima  Centre. 

Magnolia. 

Milton. 

Nidaros. 

Osborn. 

Rock  Prairie. 

Shopiere. 

Spring  Valley. 

Summerville. 

Teotsa. 

Union. 


LIST    OF    POST-OFFICES. 


309 


St.  Croix  County. 

Baker's  Station. 

Brookville. 

Falls  of  St.  Croix. 

Hudson. 

Kiii nick  Kinnick. 

Somerset. 

Sauk  County. 

Baraboo  (c.h.). 

Dellona. 

Bel  ton. 

Garrison. 

Giddings. 

Harrisburg. 

Jonesville. 

Lavalle. 

Loganville. 

Marston. 

Merrimack. 

Otterville. 

Prairie  I)u  Sao. 

Reedsburg. 

Kowell's  Mills. 

Russell's  Corners. 

Sandusky. 

Sauk  City. 

Spring  Green. 

Wilson's  Creek. 

Shawana  County. 
Embarras. 

Sheboygan  County- 

Adell. 

Beech  Wood. 

Cascade. 

Cedar  Grove. 

Edwards. 

Elkhart. 

Gibbville. 

Greenbush. 

Hingham. 

Howard's  Grove. 

Onion  Kiver. 

Plymouth. 

Rath  bun. 

Russell. 

Scott. 

Sheboygan  (c.h.). 

Sheboygan  Falls. 

Wiuooski. 

Tempelean  County. 

Gatesville. 
Montoville. 
Sumner 


Walworth  County. 

Adams. 

Allen's  Grove. 

Big  Foot  Prairie. 

Bloomfield. 

Darien. 

Delavan. 

Hast  Troy. 

Elk  Horn  (c.h.). 

Geneva. 

Geneva  Bay. 

Grove. 

Heart  Prairie. 

Honey  Creek. 

La  Fayette. 

La  Grange. 

Little  Prairie. 

Lyons. 

Millard. 

Richmond. 

Sharon. 

South  Grove. 

Springfield. 

Spring  Prairie. 

State  Line. 

Sugar  Creek. 

Tirade. 

Troy. 

Troy  Centre. 

Troy  Lakes. 

Utter  Corners. 

Vienna. 

Walworth. 

Westville. 

White  Water. 

Washington  County. 

Addison. 

Aurora. 

Barton. 

Boltonville. 

Cedar  Creek. 

Fillmore. 

Hartford. 

Kewaskum. 

Meeker. 

Newburgh. 

Richfield. 

Schleisingerville. 

Staatsville. 

Station. 

Toland's  Prairie. 

Wayne. 

West  Bend. 

Young  Hickory. 

Waukesha  County. 

Big  Bend. 

Brookfield. 


Waukesha  Co. — Continued. 

Brookfield  Centre. 

Delafield. 

Dodge's  Corners. 

Dousman. 

Duplainvill'e. 

Eagle. 

Genesee. 

Hartland. 

Lake  Five. 

Lanuon  Springs. 

Lisbon. 

Mapleton. 

Marcy. 

Menominee  Falls. 

Merton. 

Monches. 

Monterey. 

Mukwonago. 

Muskego  Centre. 

North  Prairie  Station. 

Oconomowock. 

Okauchee. 

Ottowa. 

Pewaukee. 

Pine  Lake. 

Prospect  Hill. 

South  Genesee. 

Summit. 

Sussex. 

Vernon. 

Waterville. 

Waukesha. 

Welsh. 


Waupaca  County. 

Crystal  Lake. 

Evanswood. 

Hobart's  Mills. 

Lind. 

New  London, 

North  Royalton. 

Ogdensburgh. 

Keadfield. 

Kural. 

Scandinavia. 

Waupaca. 


Waushara  County. 

Adario. 

Blurton. 

Cedar  Lake. 

Coloma. 

Corfu. 

Dakota. 

Hancock. 


310 


LIST    OF    POST-OFICES. 


Waushara  Co.— Continued. 

Lincoln. 

Mount  Morris. 

Oasis. 

Poy  Sippi. 

Plainfield. 

Sacramento. 

Saxeville. 

Silver  Lake. 

Spring  Lake. 

Wautoma. 

Willow  Creek. 


Winnebago  County. 

Algoma. 

Black  Wolf. 

Butte  des  Morts. 

Campbell. 

Delhi. 

Eureka. 

Fisk's  Corners. 

Groveland. 

Koro. 

Menasha. 

Neenah. 


Winnebago  Co. — Confd. 
Nepeuskun. 
Nekama. 
Omro. 
Oshkosh. 
Powaickum. 
Vinland. 
Waukau. 
Weelaunee. 
Weyauweya. 
Winchester. 
Winneconne 


Por  the  foregoing  List  we  are  indebted  to  J.  H.  Colton  &  Co 's  General  Post-Office 
Directory. 


LIST  OF  NEWSPAPERS  IN  THE  STATE  OF  WISCONSIN. 

Pl»«  County.  Name  of  Paper. 

Appleton Outagamie Crescent. 

Baraboo Sauk Standard. 

"       "    Democrat. 

"       "    Republic. 

Bayfield La  Pointe Bayfield  Mercury. 

Beaver  Dam Dodge Republican  Journal. 

"  "      Sentinel. 

Beloit Rock Journal. 

"     "    Collegian. 

Berlin Marquette Courant. 

Ceresco Fond  du  Lac Home. 

Columbus Columbia River  Times. 

"        "       Republican  Journal. 

"         "        Reporter. 

Elkhorn Walworth Reporter. 

"       "  Independent. 

Fond  du  Lac Fond  du  Lac Herald. 

"  "  Union. 

"  "  Freeman. 

"  "  Fountain  City. 

Fox  Lake Dodge Times. 

Green  Bay Brown Advocate. 

Geneva Walworth Express. 

Hudson St.  Croix North  Star. 

Janesville Rock Gazette. 

"         "    Standard. 

« "    Free  Press. 

"         "    Farmer. 

"         "    Educational  Journal. 

Jefferson Jefferson Jcffersonian. 

"        "        Republican. 

Juneau Dodge Burr  Oak. 

Kenosha Kenosha Democrat. 

Kenosha Kenosha Tribune  and  Telegraph. 

Lancaster Grant Herald. 

Madison Dane Patriot. 

"      , "    Farmer. 

"      "    Argus  and  Democrat. 

«      « State  Journal. 

{Den  Norske  Americaner> 
(Norwegian.) 

« "    Staats  Zeitung. 

" u    Madison  Zeitung. 

"      "    Western  Fireside. 

Manitouwoc Manitouwoc Tribune. 

«         "  Herald. 

«         "  Democrat  (German). 

"  «  Nord  Western  (German) 

(311) 


312  LIST    OF    NEWSPAPERS. 

Place.  County.  Name  of  Paper. 

Menasha Winnebago Advocate. 

Milwaukee Milwaukee Free  Democrat, 

"        "  Daily  Wisconsin. 

"        "  Daily  Sentinel. 

" "  Morning  News. 

"        " Banner. 

"        "  See  Bote. 

Mineral  Point Iowa Tribune. 

"  "    Democrat. 

Monroe Green Sentinel. 

Oskosh Winnebago Democrat. 

"    "        Courier. 

"    "       Phoenix  (German). 

Ozaukee Ozaukee Advertiser. 

Plattville Grant Independent  American. 

Plover Portage Herald. 

Portage Columbia Badger  State. 

"      "  , Republic. 

Port  Washington Ozaukee Advertiser. 

"  "        Zeitung  (German). 

"  "        Kepublican. 

Prairie  du  Chien Crawford Courier. 

"  "       Patriot. 

Frescott Pierce Wisconsin. 

Racine Racine Advocate. 

"      t  " Democrat. 

«      " KirkTidenbe. 

Richland  Centre Richland Observer. 

Ripon Pond  du  Lac. Herald. 

Sauk  City Sauk Pioneer. 

Sheboygan Sheboygan Evergreen  City  Times. 

"  "  Lake  Journal. 

u  a         Republicaner  (German). 

"  "         Miemus  Boett  (German). 

Shullsburg La  Fayette Herald. 

«        "  Pick  and  Gad. 

Superior Douglas Superior  Chronicle. 

Watertown Jefferson Democrat. 

"  "        Chronicle. 

"  "        Anzieger  (German). 

"  "        Register. 

Waupacca Waupacca Spirit. 

Weganwega "        Weganawegan. 

Whitewater Walworth Gazette. 

Note. — The  Author  returns  thanks  to  the  Press  generally  for  past  favors,  and  would  request  a  continuance 
of  their  kindness  for  the  future,  by  forwarding  him  copies  of  their  papers  containing  important  local  infor. 
mation,  care  of  the  Publisher,  by  which  he  will  be  enabled  to  post  up  more  fully  on  the  various  localities, 
in  future  editions. 

THE    END. 


HISTORICAL   SERIES. 


PINNOCK'S  HISTORICAL  SERIES. 


PINNOCK'S  ENGLAND. 

REVISED  EDITION. 

PINNOCK'S  IMPROVED  EDITION  OF  DR.  GOLDSMITH'S  HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND, 

FROM  THE  INVASION  OF  JULIUS  CiESAR 

TO    THE    DEATH    OF    GEORGE    THE    ZZ. 

WITH  A  CONTINUATION  TO  THE  YEAR  1845: 
WITH  QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  AT  THE  END  OF  EACH  SECTION  | 

BESIDES  A  VARIETY  OP  VALUABLE  INFORMATION  ADDED  THROUGHOUT  THE  WORK, 

Consisting  of  Tables  of  Contemporary  Sovereigns  and  eminent  Persons,  copious  Expla- 
natory Notes,  Remarks  on  the  Politics,  Manners  and  Literature  of  the  Age, 
and  an  Outline  of  the  Constitution. 

ILLUSTRATED  WITH   NUMEROUS  ENGRAVINGS 

tin    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTH    AMERICAN,    CORRECTED    AND    REVISED    FROM   THE  THIRTT 
ENGLISH  EDITION. 

By  W.  C.  TAYLOR,  LL.  D.,  of  Trinity  College,  Dubmn, 

Author  of  a  Manual  of  Ancient  and  Modern  History,  *c.  4c. 

(9) 


HISTORICAL   SERIES. 


PINNOCK'S  FRANCE, 

HISTORY  OF  FRANCE  AND  NORMANDY,  FROM  TUB  EARLIEST  TIMES  BC 
THE  REVOLUTION  OF  1848, 

WITH  QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  AT  THE  END  OF  EACH  SECTION 

By  W.  C.  TAYLOR,  LL.  D.,  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin, 

.Aathor  of  a  Manual  of  Ancient  and  Modern  History,  Ac.  Ac,  and  Editor  of  I'innocVi 
Improved  editions  of  Goldsmith's  Greece,  Rome,  and  England. 

ILLUSTRATED    WITH     NUMEROUS    ENGRAVINGS. 

TWENTY-FIFTH  AMERICAN  FKOM  THE   THIRD  ENGLISH   EDITION. 


PINNOCK'S  ROME, 

REVISED  EDITION, 

PINNOCK'S  IMPROVED  EDITION  OF  DR.  GOLDSMITH'S  HISTORY  OF  ROMB, 

TO  WHICH   18   PREFIXED 

AN  INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  STUDY  OF  ROMAN  HISTORY, 

AND  A  GREAT   VARIETY   OF   INFORMATION   THROUGHOUT   THE   WORK, 
ON  THE  MANNERS,  INSTITUTIONS,  AND  ANTIQUITIES  OF  THE  ROMAN8  , 

WITH  QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  AT  THE  END  OF  EACH  SECTION. 

SiXTY-FIFTH  AMERICAN,  FROM  THE  NINETEENTH  LONDON  EDITION,  IMPROVED 

BY  W.  C.  TAYLOR,  LL.D., 

WITH    NUMEROUS  ENGRAVINGS    BY  ATHERTON   AND  OTHERS. 


PINNOCK'S  GEEECE, 

REVISED  EDITION, 

PINNOCK'S  IMPROVED  EDITION  OF  DR.  GOLDSMITH'S  HISTORY  OF  GREECB, 
REVISED,  COREECTED,  AND  VERY  CONSIDERABLY  ENLARGED, 

BY  THE  ADDITION  OF  SEVERAL  NEW  CHAPTERS,  AND  NUMEROUS 

USEFUL  NOTES. 

WITH  QUESTIONS  FOR  EXAMINATION  AT  THE  END  OF  EACH  SECTION, 

FORTY-FIFTH  AMERICAN,  FROM  THE  NINETEENTH  LONDON  EDITION,  IMPROVED 

BY  W.  C.  TAYLOR,  LL.D., 

WITH   NUMEROUS  ENGRAVINGS,  BY  ATHERTON   AND  OTHERS. 

CIO) 


SARGENT'S  STANDARD  SPEAKER. 

JUST     PUBLISHED, 

In  one  demi-octavo  volume  of 558  pages. 

THE   STANDARD   SPEAKER, 

CONTAINING 

ferrta  in  \hm  nnfr  ^nrtrtj, 

FOR  DECLAMATION  IN  SCHOOLS,  ACADEMIES,  LYCEUMS,  COLLEGES. 

Newly  translated  or  compiled  from  celebrated  Orators,  Authors,  and  popula* 

Debaters,  ancient  and  modern. 

A  TREATISE  ON  ORATORY  AND  ELOCUTION, 

WITH    NOTES    EXPLANATORY    AND    BIOGR*    PHICAL. 
BY    EPES    SARGENT. 


This  work  has  been  compiled  with  great  care,  and  conta  ,is  a  majority  of 
new  pieces.  It  is  far  more  comprehensive  than  any  similar  work,  and  is 
adapted  for  use  not  only  as  a  Speaker,  but  to  the  general  reader,  as  a  collec- 
tion containing  many  new,  rare,  and  elegant  extracts. 

From  among  a  great  number  of  commendatory  notices  received  from 
essayists,  the  press,  and  teachers  of  elocution,  a  few  are  subjoined. 


From  E.  P.  Whipple,  Esq.,  the  well-knoicn  Essayist  and  Critic. 

We  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  this  is  the  best  compilation  of  tha 
kind,  in  the  variety  and  in  the  comprehensiveness  of  its  selections,  which 
has  been  made  on  either  side  of  the  Atlantic.  The  various  pieces  are  selected 
with  great  judgment  from  a  long  array  of  celebrated  orators  and  writers. 
A  good  portion  of  the  -work  is  devoted  to  extracts  from  late  speeches  in 
France,  England,  and  America,  which  have  never  before  appeared  in  a  col- 
lection of  the  kind;  and  the  works  of  the  great  masters  of  eloquence, 
Chatham,  Burke,  Pitt,  Fox,  Grattan,  Emmett,  Shiel,  and  Webster,  have  been 
carefully  studied  for  new  specimens.  The  original  translations  from  the 
French  are  admirably  executed,  and  add  a  novel  feature  to  the  work.  The 
amount  of  editorial  labor  expended  on  the  whole  compilation  must  have 
been  very  great  —  greater,  we  think,  than  that  of  any  other  Speaker. 

The  introductory  treatise  on  Oratory  and  Elocution  is  a  model  of  con- 
densation, full  of  matter,  clear,  sensible,  and  available  in  every  part.  Not 
only  is  the  volume  admirably  adapted  to  serve  its  primal  purpose  as  a 
Speaker,  but  to  the  general  reader  it  will  bo  found  to  bo  a  most  stimulating 
and  attractive  book,  better  than  any  work  of  "  elegant  extracts"  we  have 

Been. 

09) 


WORKS  ON  THE  NATURAL  SCIENCES. 


PARTICULAR   ATTENTION 


IS   INVITED    TO 


Charles   Mltslhtvs 

SCHOOL   PUBLICATIONS 
UPON  THE  NATURAL  SCIENCES. 

AMONG    THEM    ARE 

JOHNSTON'S  SERIES. 
JOHNSTON'S  TURNER'S  CHEMISTRY. 

A   MANUAL   OF   CHEMISTRY, 

OS  THE  BASIS    OP   DR.  TURNER'S    ELEMENTS    OP    CHEMISTRY,  CONTAINING,  IN   A 

CONDENSED  FORM,  ALL  THE  MOST  IMPORTANT   FACTS  AND  PRINCIPLES 

OF   THE    SCIENCE.      DESIGNED  AS  A  TEXT-BOOK  IN  COLLEGES 

AND    OTHER    SEMINARIES  OF  LEARNING. 

A   NEW  EDITION. 

BY    JOHN    JOHNSTON,   A.M., 

Professor  of  Natural   Science  in  Wesleyan  University. 

JOHNSTON'S  TURNER'S  ELEMENTARY  CHEMISTRY 

FOK  TIIE  USE  OF  COMMON  SCHOOLS.    One  Vol.  18mo. 

*  (25) 


JOHNSTON'S  SERIES. 


JOHNSTON'S  NATURAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

REVISED  EDITION. 
ENLARGED   AND   IMPROVED. 

%  Blnittntl  nf  JJittiiral  33jjtlD5opjrtj, 

COMPILED  FROM   VARIOUS  SOURCES,  AND  DESIGNED  AS  A  TEXT- 
BOOK IN    HIGH   SCHOOLS  AND  ACADEMIES. 

BY  JOHN  JOHNSTON,  A.M., 

PROFESSOR  OP  NATURAL  SCIENCE  IN  THE  WESLEYAN  UNIVERSITY". 

The  above  valuable  series  of  books  were  prepared  by  John  Johnston, 
A.M.,  Professor  of  Natural  Science  in  the  Wesleyan  University,  Middle- 
town,  Ct.  The  Chemistry  is  the  standard  text-book  of  many  of  the  lead- 
ing Colleges  and  prominent  Medical  Institutions  of  the  country.  Tho 
Elementary  Chemistry,  very  recently  published,  has  been  adopted  in 
many  High  Schools  and  Academies,  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 

The  present  edition  of  Johnston's  Natural  Philosophy  wiil  be  tound 
much  enlarged  and  improved.  Exact  in  its  definitions,  original  in  ita 
illustrations,  full  and  familiar  in  explanation,  the  publishers  are  assured 
it  will  require  oniy  to  be  examined  to  be  approved.  It  has  been  recently 
recommended  by  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 
for  the  use  of  the  Common  Schools  of  the  State;  it  has  also  bsen  adopted  in 
the  High  School  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  and  in  many  Academics  and 
Schools  in  various  sections  of  the  country. 

A  few  notices  of  the  series,  from  among  many  which  have  been  received, 
are  appended: 

(26) 


WORKS  ON  THE  NATURAL  SCIENCES. 

GUY'S  ASTRONOMY, 

AND 

KEITH  ON  THE  GLOBES. 

GUY  AND  KEITH. 

GUY  ON  ASTRONOMY,  AND  KEITH  ON  THE  GLOBES: 
Goy's  Elements  of  Astronomy,  and  an  Abridgment  of  Keith's  New  Treatise  on  the  Globes. 

THIRTEENTH  AMERICAN  EDITION,  WITH  ADDITIONS  AND  IMPROVEMENTS, 

AND  AN  EXPLANATION  OF  THE  ASTRONOMICAL  PART  OF  THE  AMERICAN 

ALMANAC. 

Sllnstmbu  iiiitli  dfftgjjtun  ^Uiibs, 

DRAWN  AND  ENGRAVED  ON  STEEL,  IN  THE  BEST  MANNER. 

A  volume  containing  Guy's  popular  Treatise  of  Astronomy,  and  Keith 
on  the  Globes,  having  been  submitted  to  us  for  examination,  and  carefully 
examined,  we  can  without  any  hesitation  recommend  it  to  the  notice  and 
patronage  of  parents  and  teachers.  The  work  on  Astronomy  is  clear, 
intelligible,  and  suited  to  the  comprehension  of  young  persons.  It  com- 
prises a  great  amount  of  information  and  is  well  illustrated  with  steel 
engravings.  Keith  on  the  Globes  has  long  been  recognised  as  a  standard 
Bchool  book.  The  present  edition,  comprised  in  the  same  volume  with  the 
Astronomy,  is  improved  by  the  omission  of  much  extraneous  matter,  and 
the  reduction  of  size  and  price.  On  the  whole,  we  know  of  no  school 
book  which  comprises  so  much  in  so  little  space  as  the  new  edition  of 
Guy  and  Keith. 

THOMAS  EUSTACE,  CHARLES  MEAD, 

JOHN  HASLAM,  BENJAMIN  MAYO, 

W.  CURRAN,  HUGH  MORROW, 

SAMUEL  CLENDENIN,  J.  H.  BLACK. 


The  following  teachers  of  Baltimore,  concur  iu  the  opinion  above  ex- 
pressed : 

E.BENNETT,  O.  W.  TREADWELL, 

C.  F.  BANSEMAR,  JAMES  SHANLEY, 

E.  R.  HARNEY,  DAVID  KING, 

ROBERT  O'NEILL,  ROBERT  WALKER, 

N.  SPELMAN,  D.  W.  B.  McCLELAN. 
c2  (29) 


MAPS. 

MITCHELL'S 

NEW 

TRAVELLER'S    GUIDE 

THROUGH  THE 

UNITED  STATES  AND  THE  CANADAS, 

CONTAINING 
THE  PRINCIPAL  CITIES  AND  TOWNS,  ALPHABETICALLY  ARRANGED; 

TOGETHER  WITH 

RAILROAD,  STEAMBOAT,  STAGE,  AND  CANAL  ROUTES, 
WITH 

TABLES  OF  PLACES,  AND  DISTANCES  FROM  PLACE  TO  PLACE. 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  AN  ACCURATE 

MAP  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

Showing  the  lines  of  finished  Eailroads,  and  their  more  important  connection*. 

COMPILED  AND  BROUGHT  UP  TO  THE  PRESENT  DAY  FROM  THE  MOST 
RECENT  AND  RELIABLE  SOURCES. 

A  Pocket  18mo.  Vol. 

The  "Guide"  has  passed  through  many  editions  ■with  the  approbation  of 
the  public,  and  each  new  issue  is  found  to  be  a  faithful  representation  of 
the  progressive  facilities  of  travel  throughout  the  country. 

From  Godey's  Lady's  Book. 

.  .  .  The  grand  feature  of  the  book  is  the  Map  of  the  United  States,  26 
inches  by  30,  in  which  all  the  routes  ar3  accurately  delineated,  with  reference 
letters  on  the  margin,  by  which  aiiy  particular  place  may  be  found  in  a  few 
seconds. 

As  a  book  and  map  of  reference,  this  will  be  found  extremely  conve- 
nient, not  only  for  travellers,  but  counting-bouses,  hotels,  insurance  offices, 
banks,  Ac.  In  fact,  every  gentleman  should  have  a  copy  constantly  lying 
on  his  desk  for  prompt  reference.  The  great  merit  of  the  map  is  the  size 
and  distinctness  of  the  lettering,  which  renders  the  search  for  a  place  a  plea- 
sure instead  of  a  painful  task,  as  is  the  case  with  most  pocket  maps.  In  all 
respects  the  new  Traveller's  Guide  is  unrivalled. 

From  the  Literary  World. 
It  is  one  of  the  finest  specimens  of  map  engraving  we  have  ever  seen,  and 
in  one  particular  merits  special  commendation  ;  that  is,  the  manner  in  which, 
by  the  use  of  a  light  but  clear  letter,  the  names  of  places  are  engraved,  thus 
obviating  confusion,  and  enabling  one  at  a  glance  to  find  the  place  he  is  in 
search  of. 

From  the  New  York  Evening  Post. 
It  is  a  marvel  how  so  much  and  such  rare  and  curious  information  could 
have  been  brought  within  so  limited  a  space.  The  traveller  in  tho  United 
States  will  find  almost  any  question  pertaining  properly  to  his  journeyings, 
answered  in  this  little  volume  without  much  trouble,  tho  arrangement  is  so 
fine  and  the  contents  are  so  skilfully  digested. 

(TO) 


MAPS. 
NEW     EDITION 

OF 

MITCHELL'S  UNIVERSAL  ATLAS, 

CONTAINING  MAPS  OF  THE 

VARIOUS  EMPIRES,  KINGDOMS.  STATES  AND  REPUBLICS  OF  THE  WORLD. 

WITH 

A  SPECIAL  MAP  OF  EACH  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

COMPREHENDED  IN  SEVENTY-SIX  SHEETS, 

AND  FORMING 

A  Series  of  One"  Hundred  and  Thirty  Maps,  Plans  and  Sections. 

In  order  to  bring  this  valuable  and  comprehensive  Atlas  more  generally 
within  the  reach  of  the  public,  the  price  has  been  reduced  from  eighteen  to 
twelve  dollars,  at  which  price  it  will  be  furnished  to  Subscribers  in  sub- 
stantial binding ;  or  in  more  ornamental  binding,  at  the  difference  of  cost  in 
addition. 

MITCHELL'S 
LARGE  MAP  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

MOUNTED  ON    ROLLERS. 

It  exhibits  a  correct  representation  of  all  the  States  and  Territories  of  the 
Union,  with  their  counties,  towns,  railroads,  and  other  internal  improve- 
ments; also  the  principal  stage  and  common  roads,  with  the  distances  in 
miles  from  place  to  place.  It  comprises  likewise  the  results  of  all  the  Con- 
gressional land  surveys  in  the  Western,  North-western,  and  South-western 
States.     The  map  is  compiled  on  a  scale  of  25  miles  to  an  inch. 

HITCHELL'S 
LARGE  MAP  OF  THE  WORLD. 

MOUNTED    ON    ROLLERS. 

The  Map  of  the  World  is  4£  feet  in  length  and  6 J  in  width,  comprising 
a  surface  of  about  4000  square  inches,  and  a  geographical  extent  from  east 
to  west  of  360  degrees  of  longitude,  and  from  the  81st  degree  of  latitude 
north,  to  the  70th  degree  south.  The  engraving  is  clear  and  distinct,  and 
the  printing,  colouring,  and  mounting  is  done  in  the  best  manner. 

This  work  exhibits  doubtless  the  most  correct  and  complete  view  of  the 
earth  in  the  map  form  hitherto  published  in  this  country;  it  embraces  as 
far  as  the  scale  permits,  the  researches  of  the  most  distinguished  modern 
explorers  both  by  sea  and  land;  also  the  sailing  tracks  of  the  principal 
navigators  from  the  time  of  Columbus  to  that  of  the  late  American  Ex- 
ploring Expedition  commanded  by  Commodore  Wilkes ;  together  with  the 
overland  mutes  of  noted  travellers  from  the  days  of  Browne  and  Park  in 
Africa,  in  the  years  1793-95,  to  those  of  Fremont  in  California  and  Oregon 
in  our  own  times. 


MAPS. 

CHARLES    DESILVER 

PUBLISHES 

MITCHELL'S  POCKET    MAPS. 

These  celebrated  Maps  have  been  revised  and  improved,  and  are  now  the 
most  accurate  and  reliable  of  any  published. 

MITCHELL'S  NEW  TRAVELLER'S  GUIDE.  I  MAP  OF  MAINE. 

MAP  OF  ALABAMA.  I  MAP  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  &  R.  ISLAND, 

MAP  OF  CALIFORNIA,  WITH  THE  TER-  j  MAP  OF  MARYLAND  AND  DELAWARE. 

RITORIES  OF  OREGON,  UTAH,   AND  t  MAP  OF  MINNESOTA. 

NEW  MEXICO.  \  MAP  OF  MISSISSIPPI. 

MAP  OF  CONNECTICUT.  j  MAP  OF  N.  HAMPSHIRE  AND  VERMONT 

MAP  OF  FLORIDA.  5  MAP  OF  CANADA  EAST. 

MAP  OF  LOUISIANA.  \  MAP  OF  CANADA  WEST. 

MITCHELL'S  GUIDE  TO  CALIFORNIA.        j  MAP  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 
MAP  OF  MAINE,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  AND  j  MAP  OF  GEORGIA. 

VERMONT.  MAP  OF  MICHIGAN. 

MAP  OF  MASSACHUSETTS,  CONNECT!-     MAP  OF  ARKANSAS. 

CUT,  AND  RHODE  ISLAND.  j  MAP  OF  TEXAS. 

MAP  OF  NEW  YORK.  5  MAP  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

MAP  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  NEW  JERSEY,  |  MAP  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 

AND  DELAWARE.  5  MAP  OF  SOUTH  AMERICA. 

MAP  OF  VIRGINIA  AND  MARYLAND.  \  MAP  OF  MINNESOTA,  with  GUIDE  BOOK 
MAP  OF  MARYLAND  AND  DELAWARE.  \  MAP  OF  LOUISIANA,  MISSISSIPPI,  AND 
MAP  OF  NORTH  AND  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  \       ALABAMA. 


AND  GEORGIA.  \  MAP  OF  KENTUCKY  AND  TENNESSEE. 

MAP  OF  MISSOURI.  i  MAP  OF  MISSOURI  AND  ARKANSAS. 

MAP  OF  MISSOURI,  ILLINOIS,  IOWA  AND  \  MAP  OF  OHIO,  INDIANA,  ILLINOIS,  AND 

WISCONSIN,    THE    TERRITORY    0FIJ       MICHIGAN. 

MINNESOTA,  AND  THE  COPPER  RE-  <  MAP  OF  WISCONSIN. 

GION  OR  MINERAL  LANDS  OF  LAKE  \  MAP  OF  IOWA, 

SUPERIOR.  5  MAP  OF  TEXAS,  OREGON,  AND  CALIFOR 

MAP  OF  OHIO.  |       NIA. 

MAP  OF  INDIANA.  \  MAP  OF  MEXICO  AND  GUATEMALA. 

MAP  OF  ILLINOIS.  5  MAP  OF  FLORIDA  AND  WEST  INDIES. 

MAP  OF  TENNESSEE.  \  MAP  OF  EUROPE. 

MAP  OF  KENTUCKY.  j  MAP  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

MAP  OF  VIRGINIA.  i  MAP  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

MAP  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA,  i  MAP  OF  ENGLAND. 

(72) 


^  *********************  ******»**V»»^*  »****^*S**^^»^**^  **»***»***»***  >**-fo 

:  1857.  1857.  \ 

WESTERN  TRAVEL. 

Great  Direct  Route.— Fare  Reduced. 

J  New  York  and  Erie  Rail  Road. 

[      On  and  after  June  15, 1S57,  and  uptil  further  notice,  Passenger  Trains  will  leave  Pier  > 
foot  of  Duane  Street,  as  follows,  viz  i  % 

Dunkirk  Express,  at  6  o'clock,  a.  m.,  for  Dunkirk.  j 

Buffalo  Express,  at  6  o'clock,  a.  m.,  for  Buffalo.  i 

Mail,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  II.,  for  Dunkirk  and  Buffalo.  J 

Emigrant,  at  5  o'clock,  p.  m.,  for  Dunkirk  and  Buffalo.  * 

The  above  Trains  run  daily,  Sundays  excepted. 
Night  Express,  at  5  o'clock,  p.  m.,  for  Dunkirk  and  Buffalo,  every  day.  J 

i       These  Express  Trains  connect  at  Hornellsville  with  the  Buffalo  and  New  York  City  Rail  > 

t  Road,  for  Buffalo;  at  Buffalo  and  Dunkirk  with  the  Lake  Shore  Rail  Road  for  Cleveland,  t 

i  Cincinnati,  Toledo,  Detroit,  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  &o.  € 

HOMER  RAMSDELL,  President.  > 

\  1857.  1857.  | 

t  GREAT  CENTRAL  ROUTE.  * 

$  Pennsylvania  Rail  Road. 

\  CLEVELAND   AND    PITTSBURG, 

J  CLEVELAND  AND  TOLEDO,  J 

$  AND  % 

|  Michigan  Southern  Rail  Roads,  j 

i  Eor  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  (Wisconsin).  Racine,  Sheboygan,  Janesville,  Fond  du  Lac,  Ke-  i 
f  nosha,  Waukegan,  Beloit,  Madison,  Prairie  du  Chien,  aud  St.  Paul. 

{  Passengers  will  find  this  the  shortest,  quickest,  and  most  reliable  route  to  Chicago  and  { 
I  the  above  points.  > 

i  1857.  1857.  | 

i  Pittsburg,  Fort  "Wayne,  and  Chicago  Rail  Road, 

J  TO   PITTSBURG,   PHILADELPHIA,   BALTIMORE,    NEW   YORK,    BOSTON.  f 

I  PRINCIPAL  CONNECTIONS! 

J  At  Pittsburg,  with  all  Trains  on  Great  Pennsylvania  Central  Rail  Road  to  Philadel-  } 
J  phia,  New  York,  Boston,  and  all  principal  points  in  the  East.  / 

i  At  Crestline,  with  all  Trains  on  the  Cleveland  and  Columbus  Rail  Road,  to  Cleveland  i 
t  and  Lake  Shore  Rail  Road,  east  to  Dunkirk  and  Buffalo,  New  York. 

1 1857.  1857.  \ 

<  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  and  Fond  du  Lac  Rail  Road, 

f  AND  * 

MILWAUKEE  AND  MISSISSIPPI  RAIL  ROAD  LINE! 
i]      From  Chicago  and  Milwaukee  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.,  on  the  Upper  Mississippi  River,  i 
]|  running  through  in  10  hours,  without  change  of  cars.  i 

',',  Two  Trains  leave  Milwaukee  aud  two  from  Chicago  Daily  (on  arrival  of  Eastern  Trains)  i 
',  '■  for  PRAIRIE  DU  CHIEN,  Wis.,  / 

\  CONNECTING  WITH  \ 

J  A  New  and  Superior  Line  of  Steam  Packets,  under  the  control  of  the  Mil.  and  Miss.  Rail  J 
t  Road,  on  the  Upper  Mississippi  River  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  and  all  intervening  points,  { 
J  and  with  Stages  to  all  points  of  Northern  Iowa.  > 

^*****  *****************************************************  ***********»**4k. 


1857.  1857.1 

FOR    LAKE    SUPERIOR. 

Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  Lake  Superior  Line. 

Steamer  LADY  ELGIN,— E.  H.  Tompkins,  a>mmamler,—  \a  a  first-class  Steamer  of  1037  J 
tons  burthen,  and  cannot  be  surpassed  by  any  Steamer  floating  the  Western  waters,  in  < 
point  of  speed,  comfort,  and  general  convenience —  and  is  the  only  Boat  that  can  be  relied  } 
upon  from  Chicago,  by  passengers  wishing  to  go  to  the  City  of  Superior.  / 

Making  twelve-day  trips  between  Chicago  and  Superior,  touching  at  all  points  on  Lake  < 
Michigan  and  Lake  Superior,  and  connecting  at  Superior  with  Steamers  for  towns  on  the  £ 
North  Shore,  and  also  at  Mackinaw  with  the  Colliugwood  Boats.  > 

Tor  Freight  or  Passage,  apply  to  A.  T.  SPENCER  &  Co.,  $ 

Foot  of  Slate  Street,  Chicago.         t 

1857.  1857.  t 

Cleveland,  Detroit,  and  Lake  Superior  Line. 

ON  THE  FIRST  OF  JULY,  FOUR  FIRST-CLASS  PROPELLERS,  for  Freight  and  Pass-  | 

engers,  will  be  put  on  the  above  route,  running  regularly  from  Cleveland  to  the  City  of  £ 

Superior.    The  line  will  be  composed  of  the  following  Boats:  i 

IRON  CITY,  Captain  E.  Turner;  J 

MANHATTAN,  Captain  C.  Ripley;  | 

DAKOTA,  Captain  J.  Spalding  ;  f 

CITY  OF  SUPERIOR.  < 

These  Boats  are  all  fitted  up  expressly  for  carrying  freight  and  passengers.    Every  atten-  J 

tion  will  be  given  to  the  comfort  of  passengers,  and  the  prompt  delivery  of  all  freight  con-  £ 

signed  to  their  care,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  S 

IIANNA.  GARRETS0N  &  Co..  | 

J.  C.  nUSSEY, 
BACON  &  Co.  > 


1857. 
North  Star  and  Illinois, 

RUNNING  REGULARLY  FROM  CLEVELAND  TO  THE  CITY  OF  SUPERIOR. 
The  above  Steamers  are  not  surpassed,  in  point  of  speed  and  accommodations,  by  any 
Boats  on  the  Lakes.     They  are  built  for  this  particular  trade,  are  over  1100  tons  burthen, 
are  fist,  staunch,  and  new.    They  perform  their  trips  with  surprising  regularity,  and  are 
so  well  appointed  and  furnished  as  to  make  them  Palace  Homes  to  the  pleasure-traveller. 
These  Boats  stop  at  Mackinaw,  and  connect  there  with  the  Collingwood  Line. 
Rooms  secured  for  the  round  trip  (time,  eight  days;  distance,  2000  miles,)  by  addressing 

S.  &  A.  TURNER,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
^c^-CRAGG^BROTHER,  J  ^^  ^    - 

1857.  1857. 

Summer  Arrangement. 

The  Steamer  JAMES  CARSON,  on  and  after  the  opening  of  navigation,  will  make  her 

regular  trips  to  DU  LUTH,  FOND  DU  LAC,  and  WAHBEGAN. 

For  Freight  or  Passage,  apply  on  board,  or  to 

JOHN  H.  GARRETT,  Proprietor. 


{1857.  1857.! 

NEW  LINE  OF  PROPELLERS. 

j  Buffalo,  Cleveland,  and  Chicago  Line.  J 

t  During  the  season  of  Lake  navigation  of  1S57-8,  will  run  between  Buffalo  and  Chicago,  # 
J  touching  at  Cleveland  and  intermediate  ports,  forming  a  tri-weekly  Line  for  the  transpor-  J 
>  tation  of  Freight  and  Passengers.  i 

r      The  vessels  of  this  Line  will  run  in  connection  at  Buffalo  with  the  $ 

\  NEW  YORK  CENTRAL  RAIL  ROAD, 

£  And  the  i 

i  Troy  and  Western  Line  of  Canal  Boats, 

t      On  the  Erie  Canal ;  at  Cleveland  with  the  J 

CLEVELAND,  PITTSBURGH  AND  WHEELING  RAIL  ROAD, 
f  furnishing  each  of  these  Companies  tri-weekly  accommodations  for  the  shipment  of  Freight  / 
i  and  Passengers.  i 

i      With  these  facilities  the  proprietors  respectfully  solicit  a  share  of  public  patronage. 
t      For  freight  or  passage  apply  to—  i 

I      N.  CHAMBERLIN,  Agent  of  New  York  Central  Rail  Road,  No.  207  Broadway,  New  York.  I 
r      RICE,  CLAPP,  &  CO.,  Agents,  Troy  and  Western  Line,  Office  SI  Ccenties  Slip,  New  York,  i 
I      SHELDON  PEASE,  Agent,  Office  foot  of  Michigan  St.,  Buffalo. 
I      H.  JOHNSON,  Agent,  N.  Y.  Central  R.  R.,  No.  221  River  St.,  Cleveland. 
i      J.  A.  CAUGIIEY,  Agent,  Cleveland,  Pittsburgh  &  Wheeling  R.  R.,  Pittsburgh. 
J      D.  B.  WILLIAMS,  Agent,  Cleveland,  Pittsburgh,  and  Wheeling  Rail  Road,  Bridgeport,  J 
|  opposite  Wheeling,  Ya.  < 

j  SHELDON  PEASE,  Managing  Agent,  | 

r  Office  foot  of  Michigan  Street,  Buffalo.      # 

t 1857.  ~  1857. 1 

The  Western  Transportation  Co. 

I  This  Company  having  established  their  DAILY  LINE  for  1857,  to  and  from  Chicago,  Mil-  J 
f  waukee,  and  other  ports  on  Lake  Michigan — Detroit,  Toledo,  Sandusky,  Cleveland,  and  € 
I  other  ports  on  Lake  Erie — with  abundant  facilities  on  the  Canal,  will  be  prepared  on  the  i 
I  opening  of  navigation  to  forward  Freight  and  Passengers.  > 

J  AGENTS.  i 

£      EVERETT  CLAPP,  HUGH  ALLEN,  No.  1  Ccenties  Slip,  corner  Pearl  St.,  New  York.  \ 

I  JAMES  n.  WILGUS,  W.  H.  CHASE,  No.  2  Courtlandt  St.,  near  Broadway,  New  York.  « 
[      S.  G.  CHASE,  No.  113  Pier,  Albany  < 

I      J.  W.  TUTT,  No.  191  River  St.,  Troy.  5 

|      P.  B.  BURKE,  No.  G8  State  St.,  Boston.  > 

\      T.  N.  BOND,  Cleveland.  f 


Upper  Lake  Trade. 

People  moving  to  the  Western  States  will  find  this  the  most  desirable  route.  The  ac- 
commodations for  families  with  wagons,  horses  and  furniture,  in  particular,  are  such  as 
cannot  fail  to  give  satisfaction,  there  being  no  transhipment  till  they  reach  the  port  of  desti- 
nation. 

This  Company  have  Fourteen  First  Class  Steam  Propellers  on  the  Lakes,  and  Two  Hun- 
dred and  Fifty  Boats  on  the  Erie  Canal. 

Contracts  can  be  made  for  up  or  down  Freight  on  application  to  their  Agents.        ^ 

Freights  going  East  or  West  consign  care  of  Agent  at  Cleveland. 

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